Pigs Take Opener With 4-2 Victory
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Ruiz Powers Pigs To 4-2 Victory In Opener
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| Carlos Ruiz, who is on a major league rehab assignment, from Philadelphia, came through with a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning, and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs went on to beat the Toledo Mud Hens 4-2 in the opener of their four-game series at Coca-Cola Park on Thursday evening. Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is the exclusive sponsor of all Major League rehabilitation appearances at Coca-Cola Park. |
| Kyle Kendrick (2-1) was solid in his fifth outing of the season. The former Phillie, who has twenty-one wins at the major league level, picked up just his second career Triple-A victory with a solid showing in the opener. Kendrick tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits to go along with four strikeouts in what was his best outing of 2009. |
| After not scoring a run in the first three innings, the Pigs offense ignited in the fourth inning off of Mud Hens starter Ruddy Lugo (2-1). Lugo allowed a leadoff single to Andy Tracy to begin the inning, then allowed a walk to John Mayberry, and a single to Pablo Ozuna to load the bases with nobody out. The next batter up was the Panama native Ruiz, and the Phillies backstop came through with a two-run double to put Lehigh Valley on the board, 2-0. The Pigs scored one more run in the fourth and a run in the fifth to give them a 4-0 lead. |
| The IronPigs bullpen, which entered play allowing just one earned run in thirty-six straight innings, continued their strong efforts on Thursday. Tyler Walker, who entered play with eight straight scoreless innings, tossed two shutout innings on to extend his streak to ten, and the Pigs streak to thirty-eight innings with just one earned run. |
| In the ninth, Cedric Bowers took the hill to close the door on Toledo and had some trouble early on in the frame. Bowers, who last pitched on April 27 against Pawtucket, allowed a leadoff walk to Wilkin Ramirez, and then a single to Jeff Larish to give the Hens two runners on base with nobody out. Then, after a passed ball would put runners on second and third, Bowers battled back to get the next two hitters down on strikes. Now, with two on, and two outs, Bowers allowed a two-run single to Clete Thomas which put the Hens on the board, down 4-2. Bowers, however, battled back to fan Ryan Roberson to end the game, and ended up striking out the side, while allowing two runs, one earned in the process. Pigs relievers have now allowed 2 earned runs in their last thirty-nine innings pitched. |
| With the victory, the IronPigs improve to 9-11 on the season, while the Mud Hens fall to 10-10. Tomorrow, in game two, the IronPigs will send Carlos Carrasco (0-2) to the mound as he goes for his first win in 2009. Carrasco will be opposed by LHP Dontrelle Willis, who looks to get back to form in his first rehab appearance for the Hens. Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is the exclusive sponsor of all Major League rehabilitation appearances at Coca-Cola Park. |
| Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer will have the call beginning at 6:35 p.m. with the AT&T pre-game show on the IronPigs Radio Network. The game will also be televised live along the IronPigs Television Network powered by Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. |
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