'Pigs Squeak Past Knights 3-1 Sunday

(Allentown, PA) - The Lehigh Valley IronPigs held the Charlotte Knights to one run on just three hits en route to a 3-1 victory on Sunday in game two of their four-game series from Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. The win was the second of the series by the IronPigs in as many days. 

Lehigh Valley starter Raul Valdes (1-1, 3.75) allowed just one run on two hits over five innings for the win. Valdes outdueled Charlotte starter Zach Stewart, who was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits over six innings. Stewart (3-8, 5.17) has now lost three-straight starts.

The IronPigs (32-31) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of a two-run home run from Jermaine Mitchell. It was Mitchell's fourth home run of the season. Third baseman Cody Asche had two hits, a run scored, and a stolen base to also pace the Lehigh Valley offense, which managed seven hits on the day.

Tyler Greene, Lars Anderson, and Blake Tekotte had the only Charlotte hits on the afternoon. Tekotte and Greene also had a stolen base. Catcher Josh Phegley also swiped a base - his first of the season. Mike McDade, who entered the game with a 10-game hit streak on-the-line, finished the contest 0-for-4.

Charlotte reliever Donnie Veal threw two scoreless innings in relief of Stewart. Veal lowered his ERA to 0.57 on the season.

The Knights and IronPigs will continue their series on Monday with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. from Coca-Cola Park. RHP Andre Rienzo (5-3, 6.02) gets the nod for Charlotte in game three. The IronPigs will go with LHP Tom Cochran (1-2, 5.73).