Pigs take series finale 2-0

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs defeated the Scranton-Wilkes/Barre RailRiders 2-0 Wednesday night to conclude the first Iron Rail Rivalry series of 2018. The Pigs avoided the three-game sweep at PNC Field as five pitchers -- Jake Thompson, Brandon Leibrandt (1-0), Ranfi Casimiro, Zac Curtis and Pedro Beato (2) -- combined on a four-hit shutout.

Thompson took the ball for the Pigs in his first start of the year. The 2016 IL Pitcher of the Year was brilliant in his 3.1 innings of work. Thompson struck out three and scattered three hits before turning the ball over to the pen. In five games this season, Pigs' starters have tossed 21.1 innings and have an ERA of 2.95.
Leibrandt has not skipped a beat since making the move to the bullpen. Taking over for Thompson with one out in the fourth, Leibrandt retired nine of the ten batters he faced and struck out three. The lefty now has 4.2 scoreless innings in relief this season.
The Pigs came into the series finale struggling with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-8 in each of the first two games. The Pigs flipped the script in the sixth inning. After starting the ball game off 0-6 with RISP the Pigs got three straight hits off J.P. Feyereisen (1-1)with runners in scoring position to take a 2-0 lead in the sixth. Mitch Walding and Danny Ortiz each had RBI singles in the inning.

The teams will resume the Iron Rail Rivalry in two weeks at Coca-Cola Park. The RailRiders will make the trek down 476 for a weekend series April 27-29.
The Pigs return home for their home opener vs. the Louisville Bats tomorrow night. Zach Eflin takes the ball for the Pigs for his second start of the young season. Tickets for the 7:05 p.m. contest are available at the Coca-Cola Park ticket window and at IronPigsBaseball.com.
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.