Pigs go for two-game sweep in Pawtucket

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs opened the 2018 season with a 3-1 victory up at McCoy Stadium on Saturday. Today, the Pigs go for the two-game series sweep (Game one snowed out) against the Pawtucket Red Sox at 1:35.

The series finale features a marquee pitching match-up featuring IL All-Star Game starter Tom Eshelman for the Pigs and 2016 MLB All-Star Drew Pomeranz for Pawtucket. Today'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.
Eshelman takes the bump for the Pigs after a breakout 2017 in the IL in which the 24-year-old went 10-3 with a 2.23 ERA in 18 starts. The Carlsbad, California native joined the IronPigs one month into the 2017 season after going 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA in five starts at Double-A Reading.
Eshelman was brought over to the Phillies organization prior to the 2016 season in a deal with the Astros that sent Ken Giles to Houston. In two seasons in the Phillies farm system, Eshelman has gone 22-10 with a 3.13 ERA. The right-hander made two starts against Pawtucket during 2017 going 2-0 including a seven inning complete-game shutout on Aug. 26. Eshelman allowed four hits in the game, but did not surrender a free pass and struck out four. He was a contender for a spot in the Phillies rotation in Spring Training but opens his 2018 season with the Pigs.
Pomeranz, a lefty on a Good Shepherd rehab assignment (on BOS's 10-day DL with a left forearm flexor strain) is expected to go about 5-6 innings for Pawtucket. Pomeranz is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound, 29-year-old who was acquired via trade with San Diego in 2016. He had a successful first full season in Boston, going 17-6 with 3.32 in 32 starts last season, setting career-highs in starts, wins, and innings pitched. He also finished 4th in the AL in winning percentage (.739), T4 in wins, 7th in ERA and 12th in strikeouts.
The Collierville, Tennessee native was drafted by Cleveland in the first round (5th overall) of the 2010 draft out of Ole Miss and made his Major League debut the next season. He was a 2016 All-Star with San Diego, representing the host team at Petco Park. In his MLB Career, Pomeranz is 42-42 with a 3.67 ERA in 170 games (111 starts).

A very different lineup for the IronPigs in Game 2.#OinkOn🐽 pic.twitter.com/IwrJup5syh

— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) April 8, 2018

GAME 1: In the top of the third Logan Moore led off with a walk, a single and a stolen base by Roman Quinn put runners on second and third with Danny Ortiz at the plate. Ortiz then sent a fly ball to center field that allowed Moore to race home and put Lehigh Valley up 1-0.
Pawtucket evened the score in the bottom of the third but the Pigs punched back in the top of the fourth. Lehigh Valley threw up a crooked number to regain the lead against Pawtucket reliever Kyle Martin (0-1). The Pigs loaded the bases with no outs or hits in the top of the fourth. Jesmuel Valentín led off the rally and was hit by a pitch, Andrew Pullin reached on an error and Matt McBride walked. With one away, Alexi Amarista singled through the right side scoring Valentin and Pullin to put Lehigh Valley up 3-1.
The Pigs got stellar pitching in game one from Zach Eflin (W, 5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 K) and from their four relievers. Rafi Casimiro, Austin Davis, Zac Curtis and Pedro Beato tossed four shutout innings of relief for the Pigs while striking out six PawSox. Beato closed out the victory earning his first save by striking out the side.
Next up for the Pigs is three-game series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Each of the three games (Monday-Wednesday) begin at 6:35 p.m. Drew Anderson will take the ball for the Pigs tomorrow against Brady Koerner. The Pigs return home Thursday for Opening Night against the Louisville Bats.
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, visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447). Memberships and group outings are on sale now (click here for more information).
The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.