IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Pigs Squander Late Lead, Fall 5-4

Published on June 4, 2017 under International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


The IronPigs (37-19) squandered a late lead as the Louisville Bats (21-34) walked off on a Sebastian Elizalde infield single to give the Bats a 5-4 series winning victory Sunday night at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville.

Back-to-back singles from Zach Vincej and Jesse Winker started off the Bats ninth inning. Pigs reliever Hoby Milner then struck out Hernan Iribarren and intentionally walked Darnell Sweeny to load the bases with just one out in the ninth to make a force at any base.

The Pigs would use a five infielder defense, bringing in Taylor Featherston from left field to try to induce an inning ending double play. Milner got the ground ball he was looking for as Elizalde bounced a grounder to Featherston who could not make a play as Vincej scored to give the Bats a 5-4 walk-off win.

With the loss, the Pigs have now dropped two-consecutive series for the first time since August of 2016, and the first time the Pigs have lost a series at Louisville Slugger Field since 2010.

A four-run eighth inning gave the Pigs a late 4-3 lead in the top eighth inning. Trailing 3-0, Rhys Hoskins laced a two-run infield single that deflected off Louisville's third baseman Brandon Dixon, scoring Jorge Flores and Cameron Perkins to narrow the Pigs deficit to 3-2. Hector Gomez then gave the Pigs the lead with a two-run double to center scoring J.P. Crawford and Hoskins, however, Nick Williams was thrown out in between third and home end the Pigs rally.

The Bats then came back to tie it at 4 in the bottom of the eighth inning on three-consecutive two-out singles. Stuart Turner and Dixon singled before Phillip Ervin laced a single to left and Pigs outfielder Taylor Featherston threw home to try to throw out Turner. On the throw the ball bounced off Jorge Alfaro to allow Turner to score to tie the game at 4 after eight.

After no score through the first four innings, the Bats rallied for a three-run frame. Dixon led off the inning with a solo home run of Pigs starter Jake Thompson to jump start the rally. Hernan Iribarren then sent a two-run single scoring Phillip Ervin and Dilson Herrera to give the Bats a 3-0 lead.

The Pigs now return home for a seven-game homestand beginning with a four-game set Monday night against the Buffalo Bisons. Right-hander Tom Eshelman (3-0, 1.40) will start for the Pigs, and the Bisons will send right-hander Luis Santos (2-3, 3.44). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Monday's game will feature a Jake Thompson bobblehead night, as 3,000 fans 18 and older will receive a Thompson bobblehead courtesy of Coordinated Health.

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 June 4, 2017


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