Pigs look to win third straight tonight

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Louisville Bats continue their four-game set at 7:05 p.m. tonight at Coca-Cola Park. The team scored a season-high 13 runs in last night's 13-1 victory. Playing in his hometown for the first time in his pro career, Matt McBride hit a pair of home runs including a grand slam.

The 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game starter, Tom Eshleman, will make his first home start of 2018 tonight. The Bats will counter with Triple-A rookie, José López making just his second career start at this level. Tonight's starting pitching matchup is presented by Allentown Family Foot Care, which provides the latest in medical and surgical treatments of the entire foot and ankle. Learn more at affc.com.
Eshleman has made one start this season coming off his breakout 2017. The IL All-Star last pitched on April 8 at Pawtucket. Eshelman struck out five over five innings of work but took the loss. The Carlsbad, California native made one start against Louisville last season, going 6.2 innings, allowing four runs and striking out six in a 9-4 Pigs win.
Jose Lopez is making his first career start against the IronPigs. Lopez played his high school and college ball nearby in New Jersey. The 24-year-old was drafted out of Seton Hall University in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. Lopez has made one career IL start on April 8 against Toledo. Lopez was handed the loss but only allowed two runs in five innings with five strikeouts.
HOME OPENER: McBride returned to the Lehigh Valley for his first pro game in his hometown. The Bethlehem native hit two home runs including a grand slam in the eighth inning of the 13-1 victory. McBride finished the game 2-for-5 with six RBIs. 
Coming into the game, the Pigs had not scored more than three runs in a game and no more than two in an inning. Lehigh Valley scored multiple runs in four different innings including a pair of four-run surges. 
Zach Eflin improved to 2-0 on the season after going a six innings and allowing just one run while striking out five. After allowing back-to-back hits to lead off the game, Eflin settled in to retire 18 of the next 21 before turning the ball over to the bullpen in the seventh inning. 
Tonight's game features the first fireworks show of 2018 at Coca-Cola Park. After the conclusion of tonight's ballgame the Pigs will launch Elvis-themed Friday Night Fireworks. Be one of the first 5,000 fans 18-and-older to the ballpark tonight and receive a 2018 Magnet Schedule sponsored by Reichel Funeral Home. Gates will open at 5:45 p.m.
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.