Six-run Ninth Dooms Pigs, Lose 9-5

ALLENTOWN, PA - The IronPigs looked to be on their way to their fifth straight win entering the ninth inning against the Tides, but the team from Norfolk plated six runs in the final inning to score a 9-5 victory over the Pigs.

RHP Seth Rosin took the mound in the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead, going for his second save in four appearances for the Pigs, but left with his first loss of the season after allowing five runs on three hits and two walks in one-third of an inning. After the game was tied on a bases-loaded walk, Rosin was relieved by RHP Justin De Fratus, who gave up two hits and one walk before getting the final two outs.

The IronPigs had a big offensive inning of their own in the fourth, scoring four runs on five hits off of Norfolk starter RHP Mike Wright. 1B Maikel Franco and SS Troy Hanzawa each added doubles in the inning, with Hanzawa's scoring two runs to stretch the Pigs lead to 4-1.

Thursday night's game also saw Franco's first homerun as an IronPig, a line drive solo shot to the deepest part of the park; giving the Pigs a 5-3 lead and what looked to be an important insurance run in the eighth inning. The Phillies top prospect hit 31 longballs a season ago between Advanced-A Clearwater and Double-A reading, but had not hit a round-tripper since August 29th of last season (94 at bats). The native of the Dominican Republic had three hits on the day and now has eight hits in his last five games, including two doubles and the homerun.

The three hits for Franco contributed to a ten-hit night for the Pigs, and the team has now tallied double-digit hits in three of their last five games. OF Leandro Castro was the only other IronPig with a multi-hit outing, adding a triple and a single to the offensive output. The second-year IronPigs outfielder now has hit in five of his last six games, including three multi-hit efforts.

Lehigh Valley starter RHP Sean O'Sullivan did not factor in the decision despite another solid effort from the San Diego native. The ninth-year veteran turned in seven innings allowing two earned runs (three runs) on six hits and three walks while striking out two. The righty now has an ERA under four on the season (3.97) but owns an 0-2 record in four starts.

The final matchup of this four-game series will be played Friday night at Coca-Cola Park, with the Pigs attempting to salvage their second series win of the season. RHP Jonathan Pettibone will make his first start since returning to the Lehigh Valley after making two appearances with the Phillies. The California native earned a win in his last Triple-A outing, hurling five innings and allowing three runs in an IronPigs' 5-4 victory over Pawtucket on April 6th. First pitch for tomorrow night's game is scheduled for 7:05, and will conclude with Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network's Center for Orthopedic Medicine.