Leiter On The Bump In Series Opener Against Bisons

The IronPigs (42-21) and Buffalo Bisons (32-29) begin a quick, three-game series tonight at Coca-Cola Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Lehigh Valley has won 28 of its last 36 contests to maintain the best record in the IL and have the best record in all of Minor League Baseball. The Pigs were the first team in the minors to reach the 40-win plateau and trail just the Houston Astros (44-21) for the best record in all of baseball.
The Pigs will send RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (0-0, 2.70) against Bisons LHP Brett Oberholtzer (1-4, 2.40).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 Mark Leiter makes his second consecutive start for the Pigs after not factoring into the decision in his first start on June 7. He tossed four 2/3 innings surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out three.
LHP Brett Oberholtzer makes his 10^th start of the season after picking up his fourth loss of the year in his last time out against the Pigs on June 7. The southpaw tossed six innings, surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits while walking and striking out three in the Bisons loss to the Pigs.
The IronPigs used a four-run seventh inning in route to a 6-4 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (35-25) Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park before 10,100 fans. It was the third-consecutive capacity sellout crowd, and the fourth this season at Coca-Cola Park.
Trailing 4-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Pigs offense exploded to take a one run lead. Nick Williams  led off the frame with a triple to left-center field to kick start the inning. With Héctor Gómez  batting, a wild pitch by RailRiders starter Chance Adams  allowed Williams to score to make it a 4-2 game. Jorge Flores  then walked, and Cameron Perkins  followed with a single to center. Three-consecutive RBI singles gave the Pigs a 5-4 lead as Brock Stassi , Jorge Alfaro  and Dylan Cozens  each chipped in RBI singles.
Williams added on to the Pigs run emphatically with a solo home run to lead off the Pigs eighth inning to extend their lead to 6-4.
International League saves leader Pedro Beato  came on in the ninth inning to try to preserve yet another Pigs win. He did just that, after surrendering a lead-off single to Mason Williams , Beato struck out the next two batters in Eddy Rodriguez  and Mark Payton  and then Tyler Wade  flew out to center to preserve the Pigs 6-4 victory.
The RailRiders opened up the game with a three-run first as Tyler Wade and Dustin Fowler  got the RailRiders rally going with back-to-back singles to start the game. Greg Bird  then walked to load the bases for Tyler Austin  who then flew out to left field, however, no runners advanced. Donovan Solano  then roped a two-run single to right field scoring both Wade and Fowler to give the RailRiders the early 2-0 lead. Gleyber Torres  capped off the inning when he sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Greg Brid to give the RailRiders a 3-0 advangtage.
Hector Gomez then got the Pigs on the board with a solo home run to left-center field to cut the RailRiders deficit to 3-1.
Pigs starter César Ramos  tossed four innings allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six in a no decision.
Michael Mariot  then relieved Ramos in the fifth inning as the right-hander tossed three scoreless innings, issuing just two hits while fanning six batters in route to his fourth win of the season.
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.