The Thunder topped Reading yesterday at home, moving their record to 4-8 against the R-Phils in 2009. Early on, things weren't looking good for the Thunder, who were no-hit for 4 2/3 innings by Yohan Flande.

It was the first time they had seen Flande this season, and boy did he look good. He was getting awkward swings and misses on a devastating changeup that made his fastball look much better by comparison.

Here's what manager Tony Franklin had to say about Flande afterward:

"He doesn't look like anything special, but he gets you out. He's one of those kind of guys who gives you a nice, comfortable 0-for-3, some guys are like that. He's certainly is that kind of pitcher. You look at him and you say 'God, we should be hitting this guy.' He pitches well."

Here's Tony on Trenton All-Star reliever Josh Schmidt, who despite near-total domination of Double-A, hasn't earned a call-up:

"He's an All-Star. He was an All-Star pitcher this year. What more can I say about that? He's been very good for us and the reason he was an All-Star is because he's been very good all year. He continues to get guys out. It doesn't matter (whether they're) left or right.

He didn't pitch a lot for a while but when he did get in there he was able to maintain what he had done previously. Coming down the stretch he's done well."


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One scout this week, when talking about Austin Jackson, threw out a comparison that I think Yankees fans will be pleased with: Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

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Speaking of scouts, Phils top scout Charley Kerfeld was in attendance for the first two games of the Reading series at Waterfront Park.

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A couple of cool, eye-opening links, via Deadspin and Peter Abraham.

Bronson Arroyo talking candidly about supplements:

A University of Illinois on whether there really is a wind tunnel at Yankee Stadium: