Rodriguez's Gem Helps Pigs Top Knights, 3-1

Pigs LHP Joely Rodriguez (2-3) allowed just four hits over seven shutout innings and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (16-26) picked up their fourth straight win with a 3-1 victory over the Charlotte Knights (23-17) on Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park.

Rodriguez and Knights RHP Kyle Drabek were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel until Lehigh Valley broke through with three runs in the fifth.

Cord Phelps (1-3, 2B, R) started the home half of the fifth with a leadoff double, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a two-out RBI infield single delivered by Chase d'Arnaud (1-2, RBI, R) to give the IronPigs a 1-0 lead. Brian Bogusevic (2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R) followed with a two-run blast to center, which opened up a 3-0 advantage for the Pigs. It was the third home run of the season for Bogusevic.

Cody Asche (2-4, 2 2B) was also one of the standouts offensively for Lehigh Valley.

Drabek (0-2) was tagged with the loss as he allowed three runs on six hits to go along with three strikeouts over six innings of work.

Charlotte threatened in the top of the seventh with runners at first and second with one out, but Rodriguez got Drew Garcia to ground into a 6-4-3 double play that was nicely turned by the IronPigs defense to end the inning.

The Knights got a run back in the eighth as they loaded the bases courtesy of two walks and an error against RHP Hector Neris (0.1 IP, R, 2 BB, K) before RHP Dustin McGowan (1.2 IP, BB) came on in relief and walked Dan Black to bring in a run which cut the deficit to 3-1. However, McGowan was able to get Trayce Thompson and Matt Tuiasosopo to fly out to right and center respectively to end the inning. The veteran right-hander then retired the side in order in the ninth with a trio of groundouts to close the door and notch his second save of the year.

The series continues on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. as RHP Jason Berken (2-2, 4.99) gets the ball for the IronPigs against Charlotte RHP Chris Beck (3-1, 3.43).