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IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Pigs Open Series with Clippers

April 18, 2017 - International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


The IronPigs return home on Tuesday, April 18 to battle the Columbus Clippers at 7:05 p.m. and 3,000 fans 18 and older receive a complimentary "Pigs to the Bigs" T-shirt giveaway.

The Pigs will start RHP Jake Thompson (0-2, 28.93) and the Columbus Clippers will send LHP Ryan Merritt (1-1, 5.56). Today's starting pitching matchup is presented by Allentown Family Foot Care, which provides the latest in medical and surgical treatments of the entire foot and ankle. Learn more at affc.com.

RHP Jake Thompson makes his third start of the season after only 2.1 innings before exiting. In his last start against the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Houston native went 2.1innings allowing six runs on seven hits in a 10-6 loss on April 12. The right-hander tied for the league lead in wins a season ago with fellow IronPigs team Ben Lively with 11 wins. Thompson's 2.50 ERA in 2016 with the Pigs led the league and ranks as the second-best single-season ERA in Pigs history behind Tyler Cloyd (2.35 in 2012).

LHP Ryan Merritt makes his third start of the season, with all three being on the road. In his last start on April 12 at Indianapolis, the McKinney, TX, native picked up the win as he tossed 6.1 innings allowing just three runs on seven hits while racking up six strikeouts. The southpaw is 1-1, 5.56 ERA in 2 GS for the Clippers in 2017 after he went 11-8, 3.70 in 24 G, 24 GS (143.1/59 ER) with the Clippers in 2016. The McLennan Community College (TX) product made his Major League debut on May 30, 2016 with the Cleveland Indians against the Texas Rangers in a relief appearance, did not factor into the decision as he tossed 4.1 innings allowing just one hit and picked up two strikeouts in a 9-2 loss.

The Pigs will look to build off yet another doubleheader sweep of the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday afternoon at McCoy Stadium. Nick Pivetta tossed a complete game shutout for the Pigs in their 6-0 game one win, while a five-run sixth inning helped the Pigs to a 7-6 win in game two.

Over the two games, Pigs bats came to life as the Pigs hit five home runs in the two games with three in game one. Rhys Hoskins had two of the three Pigs home runs in game one with Logan Moore launching a two-run shot as well.

In game two with the Pigs trailing 6-5 in the top of the seventh, Dylan Cozens led off the frame with a solo shot to left to tie the game and Nick Williams belted the go-ahead and eventual game winner two batters later to give the Pigs a 7-6 win.

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.

The 2017 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.

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International League Stories from April 18, 2017


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