Pigs Begin Four Game Series With G-Braves

The IronPigs (62-39) and Gwinnett Braves (49-50) begin a four-game series tonight at Coca-Cola Park, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Fresh off a 5-2 South Division road trip, the Pigs are returning to Coca-Cola Park to face the same two teams they just faced. They began that trip with a three-game sweep of the Gwinnett Braves at Coolray Field, coming back in the late innings in each of the games.
The Pigs will send RHP Zach Eflin (1-2, 3.08) against Braves LHP Andrew Albers (9-3, 3.12).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 Zach Eflin makes his sixth start for the Pigs this season after not factoring into the decision on July 19 against the G-Braves. In his last start, the right-hander tossed seven innings, allowing one run on five hits while fanning five batters.
LHP Andrew Albers makes his 14^th start and 23^rd overall appearance for the G-Braves this season, having won his prior three decisions before not factoring into the decision in his last outing against the Pigs. He last pitched against the Pigs on July 19, as he tossed seven innings allowing one run on five hits and striking out five.
Brock Stassi  hit a solo home run, however, the IronPigs (62-39) fell 4-3 to the Durham Bulls (61-39) Sunday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
With the score tied at 3 in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on first and second with two outs in the frame, a wild pitch from Yacksel Ríos  allowed both runners to advance to scoring position. Jake Bauers  then bounced a dribbler to the mound, however, Rios tripped coming off the mound and was unable to recover to record the out, and Michael McKenry  scored to give the Bulls a 4-3 win over the Pigs.
The Bulls opened up the scoring as well, as Johnny Field  sent a sacrifice fly to center scoring former IronPigs Taylor Featherston  to give Durham a 1-0 after one.
The Pigs tied it at 1 in the top of the second on an Andrew Pullin  RBI single to left, scoring Jorge Alfaro . For Alfaro, it was his first game played after missing his previous five games.
Stassi then sent a solo home run to right field, givin the Pigs a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth.
Curt Cassali then hit a homer of his own, a two-run shot plating himself and Field, as the Bulls retook the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth.
After reaching on a passed ball strike out, Stassi came all the way around and scored on yet another passed ball to tie the game in the top of the seventh.
Pigs starter Ben Lively  tossed eight solid innings, keeping his team in it as he allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out six. Bulls starter Brent Honeywell Jr.  fanned 11 batters in five innings, surrendering two runs on five hits, as both starters did not factor into the decision.
 The 2017 Season is the IronPigs 10^th Anniversary season at Coca-Cola Park and 10^th 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.