Taveras Makes Coca-Cola Park Debut

The IronPigs (68-50) and Charlotte Knights (48-62) continue their four-game series Thursday night. First pitch from Coca-Cola Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.  

The Pigs will send RHP José Taveras (1-0, 0.00) against the Knights who will send RHP Steve Johnson (1-2, 5.30). 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 Jose Taveras makes his third start for the Pigs, and his Coca-Cola Park debut tonight. Taveras has not allowed an earned run in his 11 innings pitched with the Pigs, and has surrendered just one unearned run in his debut.
RHP Steve Johnson makes his first start for the Charlotte Knights after being acquired earlier this week from the Baltimore Orioles. With the Norfolk Tides, Johnson was 1-2, with a 5.30 ERA in 19 games and five starts.
The IronPigs (68-50) comeback effort came up just short, as they fell 9-8 to the Charlotte Knights (47-70) Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park before 7,799 fans.
Trailing 9-6, Brock Stassi  launched a 361 foot two-run bomb to right field, bringing the Barbeque within a run as they trailed 9-8.
Ty Kelly  then stepped to the plate and bounced a comebacker to pitcher Danny Farquhar  that bounced off him and into foul territory allowing Kelly to reach safely. Dylan Cozens  then stepped up to the plate as the potential game winning run. Unfortunately for the Barbeque, Cozens would strike out to end the game.
The Barbeque trailed 7-3 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, and would rally for a three-run inning to draw within a run of the Knights.
Back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to Brock Stassi and Ty Kelly inched the Barbeque closer, as they trailed 7-5. Cozens then singled up the middle, and the ball ricocheted off second base, allowing Cam Perkins to score to trim the Knights lead to 7-6.
Andrew Pullin  opened up a two-run lead with his two-run two-bagger in the bottom of the second inning, plating Stassi and Kelly to give the Barbeque the early 2-0 lead.
After the Knights scored a run in the top of the third, they would rally for a three-run fourth and fifth inning to take a 7-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Casey Gillaspie  plated two with his two-run double to take the lead, before Jacob May  returned the favor with a double of his own to plate Gillaspie to give the Knights a 4-2 lead.
With the 4-2 lead in hand, Rymer Liriano  stretched that to a 6-2 lead as he launched a two-run home run to left-center field in the top of the fifth. The Knights added later added a run in the inning, and then a two-spot in the top of the ninth as added insurance runs against the Barbeque.
Ben Lively  was tabbed with his fourth loss of the season, as he surrendered seven runs on a season-high 10 hits while striking out four batters.
Pat Venditte  tossed one 1/3 scoreless innings, Yacksel Ríos  pitched a three-up-three-down seventh inning.
 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.