Pigs' Rally Falls Just Short in 7-6 Loss

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (44-55) rallied for three runs in the ninth, but came up just short in a 7-6 loss to the Toledo Mud Hens (43-56) on Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park.

Lehigh Valley had the tying run at second with nobody out in the frame, but was unable to push the run across.

In the three-run ninth, pinch-hitter Jordan Danks plated a pair with a two-run double and Gabriel Lino knocked home a run with an RBI single. 

RHP Josh Zeid (1.0 IP, BB, 3 K) got the win for the Mud Hens and is now 2-2 on the season while RHP Guido Knudson (1.0 IP, H, K) got the final three outs to pick up his sixth save.

All four runs in Toledo's four-run eighth were charged to RHP Nefi Ogando (1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB) who was dealt the loss for the IronPigs and drops to 1-1 on the year.

Manny Pina's three-run double in the top of the eighth gave Toledo a 6-3 lead. Daniel Fields added an RBI double later in the inning to plate an insurance run and give the Mud Hens a 7-3 advantage.

The Mud Hens took an early 3-0 lead with three runs in the second as Tyler Collins, Pina and Corey Jones all came through with RBI singles in the inning.

Pigs starter Sean O'Sullivan (n/d) allowed the three runs on seven hits while fanning six over seven innings of work.

In the home half of the third, Chris McGuiness drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a single and scored on Chase d'Arnaud's RBI single to bring the IronPigs within 3-1.

Lehigh Valley cut the lead to 3-2 with a run in the fourth as Aaron Altherr (2-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R) led off with a double and scored on Cord Phelps' RBI single.

Altherr's solo shot in the bottom of the sixth off of Toledo starter Buck Farmer tied things at three apiece for the Pigs. It was Altherr's fifth home run of the year for the IronPigs.

Farmer (n/d) surrendered three runs on six hits to go along with a walk and four strikeouts in 6.0 IP.

Erik Kratz (2-4, R) and Lino (2-4, RBI) also turned in multi-hit nights for the Pigs.

Brian Bogusevic was 0-5 for Lehigh Valley and saw his hitting streak come to an end at seven games.

RHP Seth Rosin (1.0 IP, K) tossed a perfect inning in relief for the IronPigs.

The Pigs begin a three-game set with the Syracuse Chiefs on Friday night at Coca-Cola Park as RHP Severino Gonzalez (1-5, 4.84) will be on the bump for manager Dave Brundage's squad against Chiefs RHP Taylor Jordan (3-4, 2.71).