IronPigs beat Wings in series opener

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs outlasted the Rochester Red Wings in a 3-1 win Friday evening at Frontier Field. The Wings host Lehigh Valley Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. in the middle of the final homestand of the season, with fireworks after the game

The game was a pitcher's duel from the beginning as both starting pitchers were on the top of their game. Lewis Thorpe started on the mound for the Wings, and was having a fantastic outing until Joey Meneses hit a three-run shot off Thorpe to right field, scoring both Collin Cowgill and Dean Anna. Fortunately for Thorpe, none of the three runs were earned as Anna reached on a fielding error and advanced to second on a wild pitch during Cowgill's at bat. Cowgill walked later in the at bat to put two runners on base for Meneses, whose homer gave the IronPigs a 3-0 lead.
IronPigs starter Cole Irvin put together a good outing after 6.0 innings pitched, giving up only three hits and one walk, while striking out five on 82 pitches, 52 of them for strikes.
Ben Lively took the mound in the top of the seventh for the IronPigs, immediately giving up a ground rule double to LaMonte Wade. The next at bat, Zander Wiel had a base hit that advanced Wade to third. Juan Graterol then stepped to the plate and hit a slow roller to second basemen Anna who threw Graterol out, but not before Wade could score from third, making the score 3-1 IronPigs.
Thorpe's day was done when Ryne Harper took the mound in the top of the eighth. Thorpe threw 7.0 innings of work, giving up three unearned run on four hits, one home run, and one walk, striking out eight on 96 pitches, 68 of which were strikes.
Harper chipped in two perfect relief innings.
The Wings out-hit the IronPigs 5-4.
Winning pitcher: Irvin (14-4)
Losing pitcher: Thorpe (0-3)
Save: Beato (34)
Box Score: Click here for the box score and play-by-play narrative.

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THIS DAY IN RED WINGS HISTORY
2001 - Rochester first baseman Calvin Pickering was honored for being selected to the International League all-star team. However, the IL leader in runs batted in also learned on that day that he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds organization.

2006 - The Rochester Red Wings had their two lucky charms working in the 14th inning late Thursday night: extra innings and Terry Tiffee batting with the bases loaded. Bingo! Tiffee delivered a two-run single and Kevin Cameron shut down the Buffalo Bisons in the bottom of the 14th as Rochester won 5-3 at Dunn Tire Park and inched closer to a playoff berth.
THIS DAY IN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HISTORY
1952 - Montreal takes a doubleheader from Baltimore, 6-5 and 8-4, clinching a second consecutive pennant for the Royals. The victory also completes a five-game sweep against the Orioles, who are effectively eliminated from contention for the chase for 4th place. The victories give Montreal the team's eighth straight trip to the playoffs. The 1952 Royals are led by second baseman Jim "Junior" Gilliam, the IL's top producer of runs and stolen bases and the League's eventual Most Valuable Player. The main man on the mound is southpaw Tommy Lasorda, who would finish the year with a 14-5 record and a 3.66 ERA. Despite all of the talent, Montreal would be upset in the Finals by Rochester, preventing the Royals from winning their fourth Governors' Cup in the last five years.