Pigs Fall In Extras To G-Braves

Andrew Pullin hit a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth, but it was not enough as the IronPigs (64-41) lost a tough one in extras to the Gwinnett Braves (51-52) Thursday night 3-2 in 10 innings at Coca Cola Park before 8,488 fans. 

Ozzie Albies led off the top of the 10^th inning with a double to left-center field, which was followed by an RBI double from Ronald Acuña Jr. to give the Braves a 3-2 advantage of Pigs reliever Pat Venditte.
The Pigs then attempted a rally in the bottom half of the 10^th, as J.P. Crawford singled to lead off the frame and Rhys Hoskins walked to put the tying and winning run aboard with no outs.
Dylan Cozens and Jorge Alfaro would both strike out before Andrew Pullin flew out to center to end the game.
Venditte took the tough loss, as he is now 8-2 on the year. The switch-pitcher tossed an inning and surrendered two hits and an earned run while walking and striking out a batter.
After two scoreless innings, the G-Braves took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an RBI ground out by Jace Peterson to score Ozzie Albies. Albies led off the frame with a double to left-center field and was followed by a groundout to short by Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna, advancing Albies to third.
Pigs starter Brandon Leibrandt then tossed a 1-2-3 fourth inning. Leibrandt allowed two base runners in the inning, retiring both on a pickoff move and would strike out Matt Tuiasosopo to end the inning.
A one out infield single by Rhys Hoskins in the bottom of the fourth led to two Pigs runs in the frame. Dylan Cozens would walk, and Jorge Alfaro was hit by a pitch in the forearm to load the bases for Andrew Pullin.
Pullin then sent a two-run double to right-center field, scoring Hoskins and Cozens to give the Pigs a 2-1 lead as Alfaro stopped at second. Gwinnett starter Lucas Sims would end the Pigs threat, striking out Pedro Florimón and Herlis Rodriguez to strand Alfaro and Pullin in scoring position.
Back-to-back doubles by Jace Peterson and Lane Adams tied the game at 2, as Adams picked up his 30^th RBI of the season.
Leibrandts night was done after tossing five innings, surrendering two runs on five hits while striking out six batters.
The game remained tied, as both teams would go in order in both the eighth and ninth innings to take the game to extras.
With the loss and Scranton loss, the Pigs will remain 1.5 games back in the International League's north division.
The Pigs now welcome the Durham Bulls for a three-game series, beginning Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Coca Cola Park . The Pigs will send right-hander Ben Lively (7-1,2.39) and the G-Braves will send right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. (9-7, 4.23). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The 2017 Season is the IronPigs 10^th Anniversary season at Coca-Cola Park and 10^th as the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The IronPigs are debuting the brand-new Bacon, USA, Membership Program this season -- a year-round IronPigs experience pass featuring numerous new 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 an annual holiday party, an invitation to an exclusive player and coaches photo session and more. For more information, visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447). Memberships and group outings are on sale now.
The 2017 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.