Irvin nearly goes the distance in Pigs victory

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The Lehigh Valley IronPigs won Game 2 of their three-game series with the Charlotte Knights behind a stellar outing from Cole Irvin on Wednesday. The Pigs' 5-0 victory sets up a rubber match to determine the series winner tomorrow, and keeps the Pigs safely atop the International League North Division standings. 

Irvin continued his dominant work for Lehigh Valley, allowing only four hits through 8.2 shutout innings, but the lefty picked up a double play immediately following each of the first three hits. After allowing back-to-back baserunners in the ninth, Irvin was lifted for Yacksel Ríos, who slammed the door on the Knights to snap the Pigs' three-game losing streak.
While Carson Fulmer (1-1) started smoothly for Charlotte, he hit a speedbump in the third inning as the Pigs brought across three runs. Danny Ortiz did most of the damage with a two-out, two-run double to cap the inning. Fulmer pitched into some trouble later in the night, but did not allow any further damage.
Offensively for Lehigh Valley, Alexi Amarista went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a run scored while Trevor Plouffe added a pair of singles as well. Ortiz put together a three-RBI day for the Pigs before Dylan Cozens hammered his 10th home run over the left field wall in the eighth inning.
The Pigs will continue their six-game homestand Thursday when they conclude their series with Charlotte. Drew Anderson will take the mound for Lehigh Valley, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Fans are encouraged to get to Coca-Cola Park early, with an extended Thursday Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. for the adults while 1,500 kids 17-and-under will receive a bacon cap presented by AAA East Central.
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, visit IronPigsBaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447).
The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.