Leibrandt, Cozens Lead Pigs To Series Split

Dylan Cozens launched his 22^nd home run of the season, and Pedro Beato picked up his 26^th save tying him with Scott Mathieson for most in a single-season. The Pigs (58-37) held on for a 4-3 victory over the Rochester Red Wings (51-41) by the score of 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park before 9,262 fans. 

With the Pigs clinging to a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Manager Dusty Wathan summoned International League saves leader Pedro Beato from the Pig 'Pen. The first batter he saw in John Ryan Murphy sent a line drive to Scott Kingery for the first out of the inning. Beato then issued a walk on a full count to J.B. Shuck, before Mitch Garver flew out to center and Engelb Vielma grounded to Kingery to end the game.
The save for Beato was his 26^th on the season, which ties him with Scott Mathieson for the most in a single-season in franchise history.
The Pigs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning, as Kingery came around to score on a RBI triple by J.P. Crawford to right field to give the Pigs a 1-0 lead at the time. Rhys Hoskins then tallied his league-leading 68^th RBI on a base hit to left, scoring Crawford to up the Pigs lead to 2-0 after three.
Pigs starter Brandon Leibrandt was dealing early, as the southpaw retired the first eight batters of the game before issuing a base hit to Vielma.
After the first two batters of the fourth inning reached on a walk and a fielder choice, Leibrandt struck out the side to eliminate the Red Wings threat and preserve the 2-0 lead.
Leibrandt issued his only run on the evening in the top of the fifth inning as he walked Murphy to lead off the frame. Murphy would then come around to score later in the inning on a Niko Goodrum RBI single to left field to bring the Red Wings within a run, as they trailed 2-1.
The Pigs answered back in the bottom half with authority, as Cozens launched his 22^nd home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center field plating himself and Hoskins who walked with one out in the inning. The 22^nd home run for Cozens ties him for third place on the Pigs all-time single-season home run list with Andy Tracy, who hit 22 in 2008.
Yacksel Ríos came on to pitch for the Pigs in the sixth and seventh innings, pitching a scoreless sixth. However, Murphy tagged a lead-off home run in the seventh as the Pigs held a 4-2 lead. Rios would then strikeout the side to prevent any further damage.
Edubray Ramos then came on to pitch the eighth inning for the Pigs, surrendering an unearned run as Matt Hague came around to score after a throwing error by J.P Crawford allowed him to reach. Hague would score on the very next play as Edgar Corcino sent a two-bagger to right field to trim the Pigs lead to 4-3. ByungHo Park would then walk, before a Tommy Field ground ball to third induced an inning ending twin killing.
The Pigs now hit the road for a seven-game Southern Division road trip, beginning with a three-game series against the Gwinnett Braves at Coolray Field. The Pigs will send right-hander Tom Eshelman (7-2, 1.96) and the G-Braves will send right-hander Lucas Sims (6-4, 3.98). First pitch for game one of the series 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.