Anderson, German Square Off In Game One

After a rainout yesterday, the IronPigs (80-62) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (86-55) begin their first round matchup in the International League Governor's Cup Semifinals. The best-of-five series begins with game one Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. 

The Pigs will send RHP Drew Anderson (0-0, 1.35) against the RailRiders who will send RHP Domingo Germán (7-2, 2.83). 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.
In a rematch of the 2016 first round matchup, the Pigs and RailRiders meet once again. Last season, the RailRiders swept the Pigs in the first round, three-games-none. However, this season, the IronPigs won the IronRail series taking the series 11-7.
The IronPigs held off a late rally to preserve a 4-3 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and clinch the International League's Wild Card Spot before a sellout crowd of 10,100 at Coca-Cola Park Monday afternoon.
The Pigs took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, primarily off the bat of Pigs shortstop J.P. Crawford . Scott Kingery  would lead off the game with a walk before swiping second base to advance to scoring position. Crawford then stepped up to the plate an unloaded on an 0-1 pitch, sending it 415 feet over the right-center field wall to give the Pigs an early 2-0 advantage. Dylan Cozens  tacked on the Pigs third run of the frame with an infield check swing RBI single to score Christian Marrero .
Marrero returned the favor in the bottom of the second inning, extending the Pigs lead to 4-0 with an RBI groundout to plate Kingery.
After issuing a run in the seventh on a Tyler Austin  solo home run, the Pigs held a 4-1 advantage heading into the top of the eighth inning. Manager Dusty Wathan turned to southpaw César Ramos  for the eighth, and the leftie found himself in trouble early.
Francisco Diaz  sent a RBI double to center field, scoring Jonathan Diaz  to trim the Pigs lead to 4-2. Ramos then surrendered another base hit to Jake Cave , putting the tying run aboard. Billy McKinney  flew out to center field, and Francisco Diaz tagged to third to have runners on the corners with just one out. The left-handed reliever then settled down and struck out the final two batters of the frame to preserve the 4-2 lead.
Pedro Beato  came on to toss the final inning for the Pigs with a 4-2 lead in hand. The Pigs single-season saves leader surrendered a leadoff home run to Tyler Austin to trim the Pigs lead to 4-3. He then surrendered base hits to Cito Culver  and Jonathan Diaz before walking Francisco Diaz to load the bases with just one out.
Beato then settled into a groove, striking out Jake Cave and induced a game-ending groundout by Billy McKinney to Kingery, who threw on to Brock Stassi  to record the final out and send the Pigs to the International League playoffs.
Pigs starter Henderson Alvarez III  tossed seven innings, surredendering just one run on five hits while striking out three. The right-hander made just one mistake, giving up a solo home run to Austin in the top of the seventh, but recorded his second win as an IronPig.
Single-game playoff tickets are on sale now by clicking here.
Also by calling 610-841-PIGS (7447) or in-person at the Coca-Cola Park ticket office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Groups interesting in booking hospitality areas for playoff games are encouraged to call 610-841-PIGS (7447) to inquire about availability. 
 The IronPigs home playoff schedule is listed below:
 Round One: IL Divisional Series
Home Game 1: Thursday, Sept. 7, at 7:05 p.m.
Home Game 2: Friday, Sept. 8, at 7:05 p.m. Which features a Playoff Edition of Friday Night Fireworks
 Round Two: IL Championship Series (Governors' Cup)
Home Game 4: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7:05 p.m.
Home Game 5: Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 7:05 p.m.
 The 2017 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.