Bats Go Quiet as Pigs Fall to Clippers, 2-0

May 9, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (15-15) managed just four hits in a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Clippers (19-11) on Monday night at Huntington Park in Columbus.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth as Pigs spot starter James Russell and Columbus starter Ryan Merritt traded zeroes.

In the afore-mentioned bottom of the fifth, Robbie Grossman's solo shot off of IronPigs LHP Bobby LaFromboise (2.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, K) gave the Clippers a 1-0 lead.

LaFromboise was tagged with the loss and drops to 1-3 on the year.

Trailing 1-0, the IronPigs had the potential tying run at second with one out in the seventh, but Cam Perkins was thrown out at third on a ground ball to shortstop hit by Tommy Joseph and Merritt got Andrew Knapp to fly to right and end the threat.

Merritt (3-2) gave up the four hits while walking one and fanning five in a complete game shutout effort for the Clippers.

Russell (n/d) gave up two hits over four shutout innings in a spot start for manager Dave Brundage's squad.

In the top of the eighth, back-to-back one-out singles from Alfredo Marte and Angelys Nina put two on for Lehigh Valley with one out, but Merritt got Ryan Jackson to line to left and Taylor Featherston to pop to second and end the threat.

Columbus opened up a 2-0 lead with an insurance run in the eighth as Colin Cowgill reached with a one-out single, stole second and scored on Tyler Naquin's RBI single. The run was charged to Pigs RHP Reinier Roibal (2.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 3 K).

The series continues on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. as RHP Mark Appel (3-1, 3.00) gets the ball for the Pigs against Columbus RHP Will Roberts (2-1, 2.25).

International League Stories from May 9, 2016

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• Bats Go Quiet as Pigs Fall to Clippers, 2-0 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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• LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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