Pigs Fall In Heart Breaker, 9-8

The IronPigs (68-50) comeback effort came up just short, as they fell 9-8 to the Charlotte Knights (47-70) Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park before 7,799 fans.

Trailing 9-6, Brock Stassi launched a 361 foot two-run bomb to right field, bringing the Barbeque within a run as they trailed 9-8.
Ty Kelly then stepped to the plate and bounced a comebacker to pitcher Danny Farquhar that bounced off him and into foul territory allowing Kelly to reach safely. Dylan Cozens then stepped up to the plate as the potential game winning run. Unfortunately for the Barbeque, Cozens would strike out to end the game.
The Barbeque trailed 7-3 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, and would rally for a three-run inning to draw within a run of the Knights.
Back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to Brock Stassi and Ty Kelly inched the Barbeque closer, as they trailed 7-5. Cozens then singled up the middle, and the ball ricocheted off second base, allowing Cam Perkins to score to trim the Knights lead to 7-6.
Andrew Pullin opened up a two-run lead with his two-run two-bagger in the bottom of the second inning, plating Stassi and Kelly to give the Barbeque the early 2-0 lead.
After the Knights scored a run in the top of the third, they would rally for a three-run fourth and fifth inning to take a 7-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Casey Gillaspie plated two with his two-run double to take the lead, before Jacob May returned the favor with a double of his own to plate Gillaspie to give the Knights a 4-2 lead.
With the 4-2 lead in hand, Rymer Liriano stretched that to a 6-2 lead as he launched a two-run home run to left-center field in the top of the fifth. The Knights added later added a run in the inning, and then a two-spot in the top of the ninth as added insurance runs against the Barbeque.
Ben Lively was tabbed with his fourth loss of the season, as he surrendered seven runs on a season-high 10 hits while striking out four batters.
Pat Venditte tossed one 1/3 scoreless innings, Yacksel Ríos pitched a three-up-three-down seventh inning.
The four-game series with the Knights continues Friday night at Coca-Cola Park. The Pigs will send right-hander José Taveras (1-0,0.00) and the Knights are TBA. 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.