Pigs Fall To Bats 8-5

The IronPigs (36-18) were bested 8-5 by the Lousiville Bats (20-33) Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville.

Another late inning rally came up short as the Pigs went in order in the ninth inning after a two-run eighth inning to narrow their deficit to three runs.
Taylor Featherston roped a line drive two-run single to left in the eighth scoring Rhys Hoskins and Héctor Gómez as they trailed 8-5 after eight.
The Bats jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, scoring one in the second and then rallied for a three-run third inning.
In the first, Dilson Herrera singled home Rob Brantly to give the Bats the early 1-0 lead after two. Phillip Ervin grounded out to score former IronPig Darnell Sweeney in the bottom of the third to give the Bats a 2-0 advantage. Sebastian Elizalde then sent a two-run single to right, scoring Jesse Winker and Rob Brantly to give the Bats a 4-0 lead.
The Pigs answered with a three-run top of the fourth as Nick Williams launched a three-run home run to left, scoring Dylan Cozens and Taylor Featherston who singled to lead off the frame. For Williams, he has now hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games and homered in nine of those 16 games.
After four innings of work, Pigs starter Zach Eflin's night was done as he gave way to Pat Venditte in the fifth. In his first outing back with the Pigs, Eflin tossed just four innings as he surrendered four runs on eight hits and struck out just a pair.
Venditte did not fare much better in the fifth inning, as the switch-pitcher surrendered a three-run inning himself with just two being earned. A J.P. Crawford error allowed the inning to continue and the Bats took advantage.
Zach Vincej singled home Herrera to give the Bats a 8-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning before the Pigs picked up a pair in the top of the eighth.
The Pigs have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since April 29 and 30 when the Toledo Mud Hens took the final two games of a three-game series to end the month.
The series continues with game two of the three-game set with the Louisville Bats at Louisville Slugger Field Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Mark Appel (3-2, 0.00) will start for the Pigs, and the Indians will send left-hander Cody Reed (1-3, 4.01)
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.