Meneses' homer powers Pigs past Chiefs

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Joey Meneses provided the game-winning power Friday for Lehigh Valley, launching a two-out ninth-inning home run off Chris Smith (1-2) as the IronPigs rallied to defeat the Syracuse Chiefs 2-1 at NBT Bank Stadium. The victory keeps the Pigs atop the International League North Division. 

Both starters -- Ben Lively and Erick Fedde -- worked quickly on the mound, allowing only five combined baserunners through the first five innings. Syracuse struck first against Lively when Tuffy Gosewich smacked his first home run of the season over the left field wall to lead off the fourth inning. 
The Pigs responded in the sixth inning against Fedde, thanks an unearned run when Danny Ortiz singled home Dean Anna. Lehigh Valley threatened again in the seventh, but came up shy when Joey Meneses was tagged out at home on a pinch-hit single by Mitch Walding.
Out of the bullpen, Mark Leiter Jr. and Tom Windle (3-2) tossed scoreless. Pedro Beato entered the game after the Pigs took the lead in the ninth to secure his International League-leading 12th save of the season.
Lehigh Valley will face the Chiefs again tomorrow at NBT Bank Stadium with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch. Cole Irvin will take the mound for the IronPigs as he looks for his fourth win of the season.

The team returns home Monday for a four-game series against the second-place Rochester Red Wings. That series features the Pigs' Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Wednesday and Thursday.
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.