Allentown, Pennsylvania (August 19, 2023) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (64-52, 28-15) claimed a series win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (56-62, 24-20) with a 4-1 win thanks to late three-run homer from Drew Ellis and a pristine pitching effort from Tyler Phillips, Tyler McKay, and Yunior Marte on Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park.
The IronPigs got on the board in the very first inning. Dustin Peterson doubled to start the inning and then moved to third on a groundout. Jim Haley brought him home with a single to right, making it 1-0.
The Jumbo Shrimp tied the game in the seventh, With one out, Dane Myers singled before a Peyton Burdick single glanced off the leg of Phillips on the mound, allowing Myers to go first to third. Jerar Encarnacion then brought in Myers with a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game at 1-1.
Ellis had his clutch moment in the eighth. Jim Haley singled and went to second on a throwing error on the play, with one out. After a groundout moved him to third, Rafael Marchan worked a walk to set the stage for Ellis. Ellis ambushed the first pitch of the at-bat for his 11th homer of the season, a three-run shot, giving the IronPigs a 4-1 lead they would never relinquish.
McKay (2-1) worked a perfect eighth to earn the win for the IronPigs, while Marte (S, 1) likewise pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with three groundouts to secure the save.
Austin Roberts (1-1) suffered the loss for the Jumbo Shrimp. Roberts allowed three runs over two innings on three hits and two walks, striking out four.
The IronPigs and Jumbo Shrimp wrap their series on Sunday, August 20 with first pitch slated for 1:35 p.m.
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