Kingery Ties Franchise Record In 5-4 Loss

A four-run top of the sixth spoiled what was a great Triple-A debut for Pigs starter Tommy Bergjans, as the Syracuse Chiefs (50-80) defeated the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (71-59) by the score of 5-4 Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park before 8,198.

Heading into the top of the sixth inning, Bergjans and the Pigs held a 3-1 lead with the lone run at that point coming off a solo home run from Zach Collier in the second inning. The right-hander had also retired 15 of the first 19 batters he faced prior to the sixth inning.
Bergjans would walk the leadoff man in Brandon Snyder, before surrendering a base hit to Jayson Werth and an RBI double to Neftali Soto.
The 24-year-old was tabbed with the loss, as he surrendered four runs on three hits in five innings pitched.
Pat Venditte was called upon in relief of Bergjans, however, Matt Skole jumped on a 1-0 pitch and sent a three-run home run to right-center field to give the Chiefs a 5-3 lead in the sixth.
After falling behind in the top half of the second, the Pigs scored three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Brock Stassi singled to lead off the frame and was followed by Angelo Mora reaching on a fielding error by Chiefs left fielder Jayson Werth. Dylan Cozens then hit an RBI double off the right field wall, scoring Stassi to tie the game at 1 at the time.
Nick Rickles then followed with a double of his own, of the two-run variety scoring Angelo Mora and Cozens as the Pigs took a 3-1 lead.
 After the four-run sixth inning, the Pigs made a comeback effort in the late innings. Mora would come around to score on a Cozens sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning to bring the Pigs within a run as they trailed 5-4.
Michael Mariot kept the Chiefs in check in the final two innings, as the right-hander retired all six batters he faced striking out a pair.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Héctor Gómez struck out to lead off the frame before Scott Kingery beat out an infield single to extend his hitting streak to 21 games. The 21-game hitting streak ties Domonic Brown for the longest hitting streak in IronPigs history.
Unfortunately for the Pigs, J.P. Crawford was called out on strikes, and Carlos Tocci popped out to second base to end the game.
The series concludes with game four of the four-game series against the Syracuse Chiefs Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park. The Pigs will send left-hander Brandon Leibrandt (4-3, 4.47), and the Chiefs will send right-hander John Simms (1-3, 7.67). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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.