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LAST TIME OUT: Another tough day with RISP led to a 9-5 loss for the IronPigs on Saturday night, as they dropped the series to the Mud Hens. The IronPigs went just 1-for-15 with RISP, stranding 12 on and saw a seven-run third for Toledo sink their hopes of set- ting up a chance for a series split on Sunday. Esteban Quiroz hit a three-run homer while Simon Muzziotti had two hits as well. Ben Bowden struck out three in a scoreless inning of relief as did Francisco Morales.
TODAY’S OPPONENT: Matt Wisler acts as opener for the Mud Hens on Sunday with Tuesday's starter Jack O'Loughlin to follow. Wisler has pitched twice this week, picking up the win on Tuesday and then a save on Thursday. O'Loughlin went five innings on Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks, striking out seven, tying a season high.
WALKING ON SUNSHINE: The IronPigs love soaking up the rays, as they are 15-4 in day games os far this season. They are hitting .305 as a team in day games with a .876 OPS. At home, two of their walk-off wins have come on Sunday, their improbable come- back against Memphis on Mother's Day and the most recent Sunday home game on 6/4 against Scranton when the 'Pigs rallied for three in the ninth to walk it off.
FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES: The IronPigs loss on Tuesday, combined with the Norfolk Tides win over Worcester, officially eliminated the IronPigs from the 1st Half IL Division Title hunt. The league standings will reset after the June 25th game against Worcester and the 2nd half will begin on June 28 when the 'Pigs division title hopes will be renewed.
ON THE FARM AGAIN: The Mud Hens and the IronPigs face off for the first time since 2019 when the team's played six game total, 3 in Allentown and 3 in Toledo (the home team won each series, taking two of three). Before this week, the last game played between the two teams was July 25, 2019 at Coca-Cola Park. Current 'Pig Connor Brogdon picked up the win as the 'Pigs won on a 10th inning Matt McBride RBI single. Current 'Pig Dustin Peterson played 1B and batted 7th for the Mud Hens that day.
FRUIT OF THE VINES: Getting a late start to the year thanks to an injury, Jace Vines has been a solid addition to the IronPigs bull- pen. Vines has allowed just an unearned run in 6.2 innings, striking out four and walking three, conceding just six hits. Vines was a MiLB FA pickup for the Phillies this offseason after spending his entire career in the Royals system.
PONY RIDES AGAIN: After an IL-stint in mid-May, Esteban Quiorz has picked up where he left off. In his 13 games back he's slashing .277/.359/.468 with three doubles, two homers, and 10 driven in and has scored 11 times as well. He's reached base in 12 of those 13 games as well.
M-V-PETEY: Dustin Peterson went 0-for-3 in his first game off the IL on June 1, but since has gone 9-for-32 with four homers and 10 RBI, plus a home run robbery of Billy McKinney on 6/3. In his past 14 games (spanning about a month thanks to the IL stint), Peterson is 16-for-55 (.291/.333/.746) with four doubles and seven homers.
KING ME: Since May 5, Scott Kingery has slashed .306/.386/.496 for a .881 OPS. He has six doubles, five homers, 11 RBI, and 24 runs scored during the stretch and has stolen six bases without getting caught. This past week in Syracuse, Kingery picked up a hit in each game he played in (4) and went 6-for-13 with two homers and a double.
SIMON SAYS: After a 13-game hitting streak earlier this season (4/26-5/11) during which he hit over .500, Simon Muzziotti is back at it on a little seven-game hitting streak and has a hit in 18 of his past 19 games. In those 19 games, he's slashing .363/.427/.488 with eight doubles and a triple during the stretch. Muzziotti currently leads the IL in hitting at .368.
LET'S GO SPELUNKING: After nearly a month of pure dominance, Jake Cave was named International Player of the Month for May. Cave captures the monthly award after being named the International League Player of the Week for May 22-28. Drew Ellis had been named International League Player of the Week for May 15-21, making this the third time this season an IronPigs player has been bestowed with International League laurels. Cave becomes the 19th IronPig all-time to claim a Player of the Month award and the first since LHP Michael Plassmeyer did so in August 2022. Cave batted .400/.500/.798 and led the league in average (.404), runs (33), doubles (16), slugging percentage (.798) and OPS (1.298). He was second in hits (38) and third in total bases (75) and on-base percentage (.500). He had a 21-game hitting streak from May 4-28, tied for fourth longest in franchise history and posted 12 multi-hit games during the streak.