Kendrick "punk'd"

Former Threshers pitcher Kyle Kendrick was the target of an elaborate prank by Phillies pitcher Brett Myers.

Kendrick was told that he was traded to Japan.

Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr., Equipment Manager Frank Coppenbarger, Manager Charlie Manuel, Kendrick's agent Joe Urbon, and the media all were clued in to help pull off the stunt.

Updated at 2:30pm: This story is traveling fast around media circles, and apparently is even going to make the Today Show at 7:30am tomorrow. Kendrick and Myers will be talking via satellite to Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera.

Check out some of the coverage below:

The MLB.com version of the story

O, by the Way - Blog from the Baltimore Sun
(links to embedded video)

phillyBurbs.com

Philadelphia Inquirer

Comcast SportsNet

Gear up for Motorcycle Night

Game Time: 6:30pm      Gates Open:5:00pm

Tonight's Lineup
TBA

Tonight's starting pitcher is Cruse. This is his first start since being promoted from Lakewood.

Boom Boom Boom
Fireworks will light up the sky post-game.

Vrrrm Vrrrm Vrrrm
Participate
Motorcycle Night returns to Bright House Networks Field. Ride your motorcycle to the game and take part in the Pre-Game Lap around the Field at 6:00pm and during the National Anthem. Participants receive a voucher for one free draft beer (post-lap), a free ticket, free parking, and drink specials at the Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion. Participants should check in with Dan McDonough near the fountain at the West Gate upon arrival to the ballpark.

There will also be a motorcycle show contest judged by Full Throttle Magazine. The contest is FREE to enter. First prize is $500. Second Prize is $250. Third Prize is $100

Register to Win
Fans can register at the booth behind home plate to win a Harley Davidson Dyna Family motorcycle courtesy of Fletcher's Harley Davidson. A name will be drawn if a Threshers player hits for the cycle. Also, motorcycle-related prizes will be given away between innings.

First Start
Nate Johnson picked up his first win of the year yesterday in his first start since he was a member of the Lakewood BlueClaws in 2005. He gave up four hits and struck out three in five innings of work.

Harman's Hot Bat
Brad Harman was two for four yesterday against Sarasota. He hit his seventh home run of the year last night that bounced off the roof of Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion. He's batting .450 over his last six games.

Headed Across the Border
The Phillies optioned former Thresher Michael Zagurski to Ottawa on Friday, July 27 after they activated Brett Myers from the disabled list.

Threshers Return Home Tonight Minus Golson and Outman

Game Time: 7:00pm      Gates Open: 6:00pm

Tonight's Lineup
Burgamy, CF; Harman, 2B; Werth, LF; Slayden, RF; Marson, C; Blalock, DH; Donald, SS; Harris, 1B; Made, 3B

Tonight's starting pitcher is Stott.

Quench your Thirst
It's Thirsty Thursday where all drinks are 2 for 1.

Silver Sharks Club Meets Tonight
It's Silver Sharks Night. Seniors 55 and over receive 2 for 1 Senior Field Box tickets on Thursdays. That's 2 tickets for just $4.

Plug in your Toaster
Sara Lee Bread Giveaways start up tonight. Be sure to get your Sara Lee coupon and free loaf on your way out of the ballpark. Sara Lee Bread Giveaways are also coming up on August 4 and August 11

Road Trip Recap
The Threshers went 0-1 at Dunedin. Sunday's game was rained out and will be made up on August 23. John Urick hit his seventh home run, while Greg Golson his his 11th on Saturday (7/21).

The Threshers went 2-1 at Tampa. Golson went four for five on Monday (7/23) and Tuesday (7/24). He also picked up home run number twelve on Tuesday. Other home run hitters over in Tampa include Lou Marson (4) and Jason Donald (5). Marson and Jeremy Slayden each had two-hit games, while Hector Made had two hits on Monday and Wednesday (7/25). Jayson Werth went hitless in three at-bats in his first rehab appearance on Wednesday. Meanwhile, on the mound, Brett Myers continued his rehab with two starts in Tampa. He struck four in 2.1 innings. Josh Outman and Andrew Carpenter continued their winning ways while Alex Concepcion picked up his first loss as a Thresher.

Moving On Up
Greg Golson was promoted to Reading yesterday (July 25). Lakewood Blueclaws' pitcher Andrew Cruse has left Lakewood and joined the Threshers to fill the roster spot. In addition, Jayson Werth has joined the Threshers as part of his rehab assignment.

Updated at 1:00pm: Josh Outman has been promoted to Reading. Check the Official Site later for the release. Also, Brett Myers is no longer on the Threshers roster.

Cruse'n
Andrew Cruse joins the Threshers after a season-long stint with Lakewood. He was a ninth-round pick of the Phillies in the 2006 draft after playing at the University of South Carolina. He made his pro debut with Batavia and was a NY-Penn League All-Star in 2006. He primarily came out of the bullpen this season, but did start nine games this season, including his last 6 appearances. He likely will be the newest member of the Threshers starting rotation.

Updated 2:35pm: Cruse is scheduled to make his first start for the Threshers on Saturday, July 28.

Another Pitcher Honored
Andrew Carpenter was given the Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week Award for July 16-22 after striking out 10 and only giving up three hits in a complete-game shutout of Dunedin on July 19.

Bobblehead Mania
The Chase Utley bobblehead, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times, is the last of the 2007 Bobblehead Series. It is scheduled to be given away on Friday, July 27.

Extra! Extra!
It's another St. Petersburg Times Family Friday on Friday, July 27. Check your local St. Petersburg Times for the coupon that gets you 4 Field Box seats, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 bags of chips for only $25!

Boom Boom Boom
Fireworks will light up the sky post-game on Saturday, July 28.

Vrrrm Vrrrm Vrrrm
Participate
Motorcycle Night returns to Bright House Networks Field on Saturday, July 28. Ride your motorcycle to the game and take part in the Pre-Game Lap around the Field at 6:00pm and during the National Anthem. Participants receive a voucher for one free draft beer (post-lap), a free ticket, free parking, and drink specials at the Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion. Participants should check in with Dan McDonough near the fountain at the West Gate upon arrival to the ballpark.

There will also be a motorcycle show contest judged by Full Throttle Magazine. The contest is FREE to enter. First prize is $500. Second Prize is $250. Third Prize is $100

Register to Win
Fans can register at the booth behind home plate to win a Harley Davidson Dyna Family motorcycle courtesy of Fletcher's Harley Davidson. A name will be drawn if a Threshers player hits for the cycle. Also, motorcycle-related prizes will be given away between innings.

Former Thresher Zagurski called up to the Show!

Wanted to give thanks again to readers Steve and SF Fan in FL for their comments about Michael Zagurski in the post about Slayden below. Also thanks to Who's on First? for their comment from Phuture Phillies. In case you missed their comments, they mentioned that Zagurksi has gone from the Threshers to the Majors in just two weeks.

Zagurski's contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from Reading on Friday, May 25 after Brett Myers was put on the 15-day disabled list. He made his Major League debut that night at Turner Field against the Atlanta Braves. He needed only 10 pitches to get three outs. He took the mound in another relief appearance the next day where he did give up his first hit to a Major Leauge batter. However, after Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson singled up the middle, he settled down and it took him just eight total pitches to get four outs. Despite his success on the mound so far, he is still looking for his first Major League strikeout.