Pigs push IL North lead to six games

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The IronPigs plated three runs in the final three innings to take the middle game from the Buffalo Bisons 4-1 at Coca-Cola Field. With the victory the Pigs are now 12 games above .500 and have built a six-game lead over the Bisons in the IL North.

Alexi Amarista paced the offense with three hits and an RBI for Lehigh Valley. Tied up at one in the top of the seventh, Matt McBride brought home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly against Buffalo's Murphy Smith (0-4). Amarista's RBI single in the eighth inning gave the Pigs a much-needed insurance run to go up 3-1. The Pigs would add an unearned run in the ninth.
Logan Moore scored a pair of runs and reached base twice for the Pigs. The IronPigs are averaging 13 hits over the first two games of the series. McBride finished the game 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, extending his hitting streak to nine games. 
Tom Eshelman allowed just one run in five innings of work for the second straight outing. He struck out one and allowed four hits but did not take a decision. Over his last two starts, Eshelman has allowed just two runs, one earned, in 10 innings.
The bullpen contributed four innings of relief backing Eshleman. Brandon Leibrandt (4-0) allowed one hit and struck out one lowering his ERA to 1.13. Héctor Neris struck out two in one inning and Pedro Beato recorded his IL leading 20th save. 
The Pigs go for the sweep in Buffalo tomorrow at 1:05 p.m.. Enyel De Los Santos goes for his eighth win of the season against Ryan Borucki for the Bisons.
The Pigs return home next Monday against the RailRiders. The four-game series will feature Little League Night, two youth giveaways and #LVWantsLeBron Night on June 28. Check out everything the Pigs have scheduled for the upcoming homestand.
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, click here or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447).
The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.