Irvin, Meneses guide Pigs to series-opening win

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Lehigh Valley opened their final series of the regular season with a win on Friday.

The Pigs took down the Rochester Red Wings 3-1 in the first of their four-game series at Victory Field. The win pushes Lehigh Valley one step closer to matching their franchise record of 85 wins in a regular season, as they now sit with 82 victories with three games remaining.

The night began with a high-quality pitcher's duel. Cole Irvin spun six scoreless frames for Lehigh Valley in his last start of the regular season. The Left-hander did not allow a runner to reach scoring position. Meanwhile, Lewis Thrope allowed only two hits through the first five innings.

In the sixth, the Pigs got a pair of baserunners on a fielding error and a walk before Joey Meneses brought them both in with his league-leading 23rd home run of the season. Rochester was able to bring a run across in the seventh against Ben Lively, but the bullpen was able to glide through the rest of the evening.

Pedro Beato closed the night with a scoreless ninth inning, notching his IL-leading 34th save of the year, which also breaks his own IronPigs record for most in a single season.

Game 2 of the series will get underway Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. when Drew Anderson takes the mound for Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs will return to Coca-Cola Park on Friday, September 7 for game three of the IL-Divisional Round.

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, click here or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447).

The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.