PawSox take game two

A two-run home run by Rusney Castillo was all the offense that Pawtucket needed in game two against the IronPigs 2-1. The PawSox handed Cole Irvin (8-2) his first loss since April 20 against Durham.  

Irvin gave the Pigs another seven strong innings of work but left the ball game trailing 2-1. Irvin struck out seven and allowed six hits while walking one. The PawSox tagged Irvin for two runs, one earned in the top of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. The two-run home run by Castillo was the only runs that the PawSox would need in the victory. Coming into the game, Irvin had won seven straight decisions which was one shy of an IronPigs record for consecutive wins.
PawSox starter Josh D. Smith (3-3) matched the strong start by Irvin with six innings of his own, a career high. Smith had never gone more than 4 1/3 innings in his career but allowed just three hits and struck out four. Smith retired the final seven batters that he faced and 14 of his last 16. Williams Jerez tossed two perfect innings of relief earning the hold while striking out two. 
The Pigs lone offense came in the bottom of the first inning when they took a 1-0 lead. After the first two batters of the inning reached, Mitch Walding chased home Collin Cowgill to put Lehigh Valley up 1-0. The offense was held quiet after the first inning against PawSox pitching. The Pigs were limited to just three baserunners after the first inning and just two hits. Pawtucket pitching retired the final 16 Pigs of the game to hold the win for Pawtucket.   
The Pigs and PawSox resume their four game set tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m. Drew Anderson will take the mound for the IronPigs. Make sure to stick around for post-game Zac Brown fireworks presented by AT&T.
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.