‘Pigs Drop a Heart Breaker in Extras to Close Series in Norfolk

Norfolk, Virginia (May 19, 2024) – In a marathon contest that was scoreless for the first 10 innings, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (16-26) were outlasted by the Norfolk Tides (23-22) by a final of 5-3 in 12 innings on Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.

Both pitching staffs executed shutout baseball for the first 10 frames. David Parkinson started for Lehigh Valley and went the first six, striking out five while allowing two hit. Jonathan Heasley, Norfolk’s starter matched him pitch-for-pitch as he went five frames.

Norfolk had a chance to end the game in the last of the tenth, but Ryan Burr finished off his second scoreless inning, escaping from a first and third one out jam to send the game to the 11^th.

In the 11^th, Aramis Garcia produced a pinch-hit go-ahead RBI double, scoring the first run of the game. Norfolk tied the game in the bottom of the frame though on a Michael Perez RBI groundout.

Weston Wilson copied Garcia with an RBI double to put the ‘Pigs back ahead in the 12^th with a second run scoring later in the frame on an error.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 12^th, Heston Kjerstad ended the game by walloping a grand slam, his 12^th homer of the season, giving Norfolk a 5-3 win.

Nick Vespi (2-1) collected the win in relief for the Tides, allowing two runs (one earned) in the 12^th on one hits and two walks, striking out one.

Nick Nelson (1-2) took the loss for the ‘Pigs allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits and one walk, striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Following an off-day on Monday, the ‘Pigs kick off a seven-game homestand against the Rochester Red Wings with a doubleheader Tuesday, May 21. First pitch for game one on Tuesday is slated for 11:00 a.m. with game two to follow promptly.

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The IronPigs are presented by Capital Blue Cross.

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