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Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Hoskins Homer Ignites Pigs in 7-4 Win

April 27, 2017 - International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


The IronPigs used two three-run innings in the third and fifth innings in route to a 7-4 victory over the Columbus Clippers Thursday morning at Huntington Park.

The victory gave the IronPigs their fourth-consecutive series win of the season and move to two games over .500 once again. The win in today's rubber match improved the Pigs record to 12-1 in rubber matches in their last 13 rubber matches.

After falling behind 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning on a Richie Shaffer two-run home run to center that scored Bradley Zimmer, the Pigs came back with their first three-run inning in the top of the third.

Logan Moore led off the Pigs third with a single to right and was followed by a walk to Pedro Florimon. Roman Quinn then stepped in and roped a two-run double to tie the game at 2. Two batters latter Cameron Perkins singled home Quinn to give the Pigs a 3-2 lead after three.

Rhys Hoskins then led off the top of the fifth inning with his team and league-leading sixth home run on the season and he has now hit safely in eight-consecutive games. The former Eastern League Rookie of the Year has also reached base safely in his last 19 games which at the time of print is best in the International League with Louisville's Sebastian Elizalde to play later Thursday night.

With the Pigs leading 4-2 after Hoskins home run, Nick Williams was hit by a pitch and Taylor Featherston singled to left to set the stage for Moore. Moore then doubled to right, scoring both Williams and Featherston to put the Pigs on top 6-2.

Columbus used their second two-run home run of the afternoon to draw within two of the Pigs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Giovanny Urshella sent a two-run shot to left that plated Yandy Diaz that cut the Pigs lead to 6-4.

Hoskins led off the ninth inning for the Pigs, and just missed his seventh home run by a matter of inches, but settled for a table setting leadoff double. Perkins then grounded out to short, allowing Hoskins to move to third for Dylan Cozens. Cozens then reached on a RBI fielder's choice that scored Hoskins to give the Pigs a 7-4 lead.

After back-to-back one-out singles from Nellie Rodriguez and Tyler Naquin, Pigs closer Pedro Beato notched his fourth save of the season as he induced infield pop ups by Erik Gonzalez and Diaz to Hoskins to end the game.

Pigs starter Mark Appel picked up his first win of the season, and his first win in more than a year as the former No. 1 overall pick last won on April 23, 2016 over the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Houston native went five innings allowing two runs on four hits and struck out five Clippers.

Colton Murray then relieved Appel after a 25 minute rain delay and the right-hander tossed 2.1 innings surrendering two runs on four hits.

Pat Venditte continued his dominance out of the Pig 'Pen as he tossed 2/3 of an inning and gave up just one walk. The switch-handed pitcher has not allowed a base hit, nor an earned run in nine innings pitched to begin the season.

With the two-games-to-one series win, the Pigs won just their second series against the Columbus Clippers and their first season series victory over the Clippers since they took five-out-of-eight games in 2011.

The Pigs now continue the second part of their six-game road trip with a three-game series with the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field. Right-hander Ben Lively (2-1, 3.18) will get the start for the Pigs, and the Mud Hens will counter with right-hander William Cuevas (1-1, 5.73). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The 2017 Season is the IronPigs 10th Anniversary season at Coca-Cola Park and 10th as the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The IronPigs are debuting the brand-new Bacon, USA, Membership Program this season -- a year-round IronPigs experience pass featuring numerous new amenities such as savings on parking at games and at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Coca-Cola Park, on-field VIP access to watch batting practice, access to an annual holiday party, an invitation to an exclusive player and coaches photo session and more. For more information, visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447). Memberships and group outings are on sale now.

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International League Stories from April 27, 2017


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