Seven-Run First Carries Pigs to 12-2 Win

A seven-run first set the tone early as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (79-55) scored 12 runs on 17 hits en route to a 12-2 victory over the Buffalo Bisons (65-70) on Saturday night at Coca-Cola Field.

Six different IronPigs had multi-hit games: Cody Asche (2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Cedric Hunter (4-5, 2 RBI, R), Andrew Knapp (2-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R), Darin Ruf (3-6, 2B, RBI, 2 R), Darnell Sweeney (2-5, R) and Jesmuel Valentin (2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R).

In the afore-mentioned seven-run first, Valentin delivered the big blow with a three-run shot off of Buffalo starter Chris Leroux, Knapp knocked home a pair with a two-run double, Ruf plated a run via an RBI double and Hunter came through with an RBI single. All seven runs in the inning came with two outs.

A three-run second extended the lead for the IronPigs to 10-0 as Asche plated a run via an RBI double while Knapp and Hunter each delivered RBI singles.

Leroux (8-11) gave up the 10 runs on eight hits while walking a pair in 1.2 IP.

Asche's two-run double in the top of the third made it a 12-0 game in favor of Lehigh Valley.

Chris Colabello's solo shot off of Pigs starter Anthony Vasquez in the bottom of the fifth put Buffalo on the board and cut the lead to 12-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, A.J. Jimenez led off with a single, advanced to second on a single and scored on Darrell Ceciliani's RBI single to bring the Bisons within 12-2.

Vasquez (4-0) gave up the two runs on four hits to go along with a walk and three strikeouts in seven innings of work. LHP Elvis Araujo (1.0 IP, BB) and LHP Patrick Schuster (1.0 IP) got the final six outs for manager Dave Brundage's squad.

The series continues on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. as RHP Ben Lively (9-5, 3.29) will be on the bump for the IronPigs against Bisons RHP Mike Bolsinger (1-3, 8.22).