Cozens' two-homer night lifts Pigs

For the second straight night the Lehigh Valley IronPigs' bats came to life at Coca-Cola Park. Dylan Cozens finished the evening with a well-rounded stat line featuring two homers and three RBIs in a 9-5 victory Friday night. Tom Eshelman (1-1) earned his first win of the season tossing 6.2 innings and striking out a Triple-A-high eight Bats. 

Cozens had one of his best days as an IronPig, kick-started when he lined his first home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning off starter José López (0-2) after Louisville had taken a 2-0 lead. The Pigs were limited to just that one hit until the fourth inning when Cozens ignited the Pigs' rally. A one-out single started string of five consecutive hits that gave the Pigs the lead. Already with an RBI and two runs scored, Cozens blasted a mammoth home run to right field; a two-run shot that left the stadium in right field. Cozens also swiped a bag and had an outfield assist. 
Tom Eshelman earned his first win of the year in his return to Coca-Cola Park, settling in after allowing a pair of home runs in the first inning. The right-hander scattered nine hits and struck out eight. 
Cozens was not the only Pig with three hits in the game. Jesmuel Valentín was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Valentin did not have a hit coming into the series and now has five in two games. Andrew Pullin also had a multi-hit performance which included a two-run triple in the fourth inning which proved to be the game-winning hit. 

The Pigs had struggled with runners in scoring position to start the season but have turned it on in two games at Coca-Cola Park. Since coming home, the Pigs are 11-23 with RISP while the pitching staff has not allowed a hit with RISP to Louisville (0 of 15)
The Pigs go for their first series win of the season tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m. Coming off a ten-strikeout performance in his Triple-A debut, Cole Irvin makes his first career start at Coca-Cola Park against Domingo Tapia. The first 3,000 fans 18 and older will receive a Rhys Hoskins bronze statue. Gates will open at 5 p.m. so fans can watch the Miracle League game and begin to bid on the evening's special Miracle League jersey auction benefitting the Miracle Leagues of Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The 2018 Season is the IronPigs' 11th season at Coca-Cola Park and 11th as the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Fans can get closer to the team than ever before with a Bacon, USA membership -- a year-round IronPigs experience pass featuring numerous 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 the annual holiday party, and more. For more information, visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447).
The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.