IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Pigs, Tides Split Doubleheader in Norfolk

Published on April 25, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Norfolk Tides split a doubleheader Wednesday at Harbor Park. The Pigs rallied to take the early contest 9-8 before falling in the second contest 5-0.

GAME 1: In a back-and-forth affair, the Pigs rallied in the top of the seventh and final inning, scoring three runs to win 9-8. Trailing by two, the IronPigs got a two-run double by Mitch Walding and an RBI triple by Jesmuel Valentin to secure the season's first victory when trailing after five innings.

The Pigs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning but the Tides came right back with four runs off Pigs starter Tom Eshelman. Now down one, Roman Quinn tripled down the right-field line to score Matt McBride and tie the game. The speedy center fielder came home on a Dean Anna sacrifice bunt to put the Pigs ahead 5-4.

The Pigs erased a three-run deficit thanks in large part to the 4-for-4 effort of Mitch Walding. After Norfolk plated four runs for the second straight inning to take an 8-5 lead, Walding answered in the top of the fifth with a solo home run.

Walding had three extra base hits in the game, including the game-tying double in the seventh. He tied Matt McBride for a team-high nine total bases in a game this season. Lehigh Valley had eight extra-base hits in the game - five doubles, two triples and Walding's home run.

Walding holds the only two four-hit games for the Pigs this season. He drove in four and scored three runs in Game 1.

Ranfi Casimiro (2-0) picked up his second win of the season, striking out one in a scoreless inning in relief. Pedro Beato (4) struck out one recording the save.

GAME 2: Three runs in the first inning against Pigs starter Jake Waguespack (0-1) set the tone for a 5-0 Game 2 victory for the Tides.

After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Waguespack issued a two-out walk and a single to Michael Saunders to put runners on first and second. Andrew Susac, who's only home run of the season came against the Pigs at Coca-Cola Park put the Tides up 3-0 with a home run to right field.

Trevor Plouffe made his IronPigs debut today after being signed by the Phillies organization earlier this week. Plouffe, who has more than six years of big league experience, went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Tim Melville (2-0) earned the win in Game 2, tossing 5 1/3 innings without a run. He scattered four hits and struck out three.

This is the third time that the Pigs have been shut out this season and the second time by the Tides.

The Pigs return home on Friday to open a six-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

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.

Check out the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Statistics

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International League Stories from April 25, 2018


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