Pigs Top Red Wings 6-1

J.P. Crawford hit a solo home run and the IronPigs (56-35) defeated the Rochester Red Wings (49-40) Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park. 

After a one hour and 41 minute rain delay, Pigs starter Ben Lively began his night with his first outing as an IronPigs starter since May 27 against the Louisville Bats. Lively surrendered two hits in the opening frame while striking out the side to eliminate the Red Wings threat.
The Pigs then struck with back-to-back two-out doubles from Rhys Hoskins and Dylan Cozens to give the Pigs a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the inning. Cozens picked up his 57^th RBI on the year with the two-bagger off the left-center field wall.
Crawford then struck with his solo home run in the bottom of the third inning to push the Pigs to a 2-0 lead. For Crawford, it was his fifth home run in his last nine games.
Back-to-back walks to Dylan Cozens and Pedro Florimón set the stage for outfielder Andrew Pullin. Pullin then sent a two-run double to right-center field to plate both Cozens and Florimon to double the Pigs lead to 4-0.
Rochester's starter Bartolo Colon was chased from the game after the two-run double by Pullin. Colon picked up the loss, his first minor league loss since July 19, 2009 with the Charlotte Knights against the Norfolk Tides.
Colon, who had not pitched since being released by the Atlanta Braves on July 4, made his first appearance for the Red Wings after being signed by the Minnesota Twins on July 7. On the night, Colon tossed three 2/3 innings allowing four runs on four hits while walking two batters and striking out two.
Lively's night was done after the sixth inning, as the right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while walking a pair and striking out eight batters. He then gave way to switch-pitcher Pat Venditte who issued a lead-off walk to Bangie Gonzalez and then got two consecutive fly outs to center field by John Ryan Murphy and Engelb Vielma before issuing a base hit to Niko Goodrum. Michael Mariot then came in of relief of Venditte and issued a walk to Mitch Garver to load the bases for Tommy Field.
Field then walked to bring home the Red Wings lone run of the evening as they trailed 4-1 in the top of the seventh inning.
The Pigs picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Scott Kingery walked to lead off the frame before Crawford hit an infield single off Red Wings reliever John Curtiss. Rhys Hoskins then added to his International League leading RBI total with his 67^th RBI of the season with a base hit to center field scoring Kingery as Crawford advanced to third. With Cozens batting, a wild pitch by Curtiss allowed Crawford to score to put the Pigs on top 6-1.
In a non-save situation, Pigs closer Pedro Beato came on to pitch the final inning for the Pigs. Beato made quick work of the Red Wings in the ninth, as the right-hander retired the side in order to preserve the Pigs 6-1 win.
The series continues with game two of the four-game set Friday night at Coca-Cola Park. The Pigs will send right-hander Zach Eflin (1-1, 4.05) and the Red Wings will counter with right-hander Justin Haley (0-0, 3.38) in a major league rehab appearance. Postgame Friday Night Fireworks will light up the sky at Coca-Cola Park and 3,000 fans 18 and older will receive a Umbrella presented by The Morning Call. 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.