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IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

PawSox Hold on for Series Split vs. IronPigs

April 8, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


The Pawtucket Red Sox and Lehigh Valley IronPigs wrapped up their abbreviated opening series up at McCoy Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The PawSox jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the first three innings and held on for a 4-3 victory and a split of the two-game series.

Tom Eshelman (0-1) took the ball for the Pigs in his first start of 2018 and was opposed by lefty Drew Pomeranz, who was on a Good Shepherd rehab appearance as he works his way back from the DL. Scoring all four of the runs in the first three innings, Fernando Rodriguez Jr. recorded two outs in relief of Pomeranz and earned his first win of the season.

The Pigs struck first in the top of the first inning belting their first long ball of the season. With Roman Quinn on third and two down in the opening frame, Collin Cowgill blasted a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to put the Pigs up 2-0.

Pawtucket answered with runs in each of the first three innings, highlighted by a Ramon Flores solo homer in the third that proved to be the difference.

Both teams struggled to score after the quick starts. For the second consecutive game, the PawSox were scoreless after the third inning. After the Cowgill home run in the top of the first, Lehigh Valley did not record another hit until the top of the sixth inning when Mitch Walding hit his first of two doubles in the game.

Walding would later come in to score on an RBI groundout by Nick Rickles to cut the deficit to one. The Pigs did threaten again in the eighth, but Walding was stranded at third.

Williams Jerez, who recorded the final out in the eighth, pitched a stress-free ninth to secure his first save at the Triple-A level.

Just two games into the 2018 season, the IronPigs pitching staff is establishing itself as a strength. Tom Eshelman departed after five innings (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 5 K) but settled in after allowing the Flores home run. Eshelman finished off his outing retiring eight of the next nine PawSox that he faced.

Brandon Leibrandt came on in relief and tossed two scoreless innings. Leibrandt retired six of the seven hitters he faced including a perfect sixth inning. Tom Windle made his Triple-A debut, pitching a scoreless eighth despite allowing two PawSox to reach base.

In the series Pigs relievers recorded seven scoreless innings, allowed three hits and struck out nine.

The Pigs are back in action on Monday night for an ILDS rematch at the Scranton-Wilkes/Barre Railriders at 6:35 p.m. Drew Anderson will start the ball game for the Pigs and will be opposed by right-hander Brody Koerner for Scranton.

The Pigs return home on Thursday, April 12, for their home opener vs. the Louisville Bats. Tickets for the 7:05 p.m. contest are available at the Coca-Cola Park ticket window and at IronPigsBaseball.com.

The 2018 Season is the IronPigs' 11th season at Coca-Cola Park and 11th as the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Fans can get closer to the team than ever before with a Bacon, USA membership -- a year-round IronPigs experience pass featuring numerous 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 the annual holiday party, and more. For more information, visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447).

The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.

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International League Stories from April 8, 2018


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