LAST TIME OUT: The 'Pigs couldn't keep pace in an all-out slugfest as Norfolk plated 11 runs across the fifth and sixth innings to run away with a 14-8 win on Saturday night, snapping the 'Pigs four-game winning streak. After Heston Kjerstad hit a two-run homer in the first for Norfolk, the 'Pigs answered back with five in the bottom half. Kody Clemens socked a leadoff homer, Buddy Kennedy had an RBI double and Weston Wilson hit a two-run homer before Aramis Garcia capped the frame with an RBI single. The Tides swung back in front on a Kyle Stowers grand slam in the fifth and never lost the lead again.
TODAY’S OPPONENT: Justin Armbruester closes the series for the Tides after taking the loss in the opener. Back on Tuesday, Armbruester allowed five runs (four earned) in 4.2 innings, giving up two homers to Weston Wilson. It marked the ninth consecutive start he's allowed at least one homer.
SUNDAY SCARIES: The 'Pigs have been dreadful on Sunday this season, going 3-11, including a winless 0-6 at home on Sunday. As a team, they are hitting just .195 on Sunday (averaging 3.77 runs per game), while posting an ERA of 6.33
THE COMEBACK 'PIGS: Thursday's win marked the largest comeback win of the season for the 'Pigs, as they rallied from five runs down to win, 9-7. The previous mark had been four, when the 'Pigs erased a 4-0 deficit on Opening Night with a seven-run ninth inning against Worcester. It was the 11th time this season the 'Pigs were tied after seven, they are now 6-5 in those games. Not quite as impressive, the 'Pigs did it again on Friday, coming back from three runs down.
WESTWARD BOUND: Weston Wilson got his first recall of the season as the Phillies called him up on Monday, June 3. Wilson was optioned back to Lehigh Valley on June 15. He has 10 homers in his past 15 games as an IronPig, including long balls in four consecutive games, tying the franchise record which had previously been accomplished three times. That streak was snapped on Wednesday night as he failed to homer, but he bounced back with his third homer of the week on Thursday before hitting his fourth of the series on Saturday.
FULL NELSON: Nick Nelson became the seventh different IronPig to record a save when he pitched a scoreless ninth on Thursday. It's the first MiLB save for Nelson since 2021, when he recorded one for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Coca-Cola Park.
A SAVE FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING: Tyler Gilbert recorded his first save of the year on Wednesday night. It was his first save since 2019, when he had two during his first stint as an IronPig. In the intervening years, Gilbert managed to get traded twice, MiLB rule 5'd, signed a MiLB FA, and throw a no-hitter for the Diamondbacks in his first career start.
YO!-HAN: Johan Rojas made his IronPigs debut on Tuesday night, collecting a hit and RBI while making a diving catch in centerfield. A former top-100 prospect, Rojas jumped from double-A Reading to the Phillies last season, skipping the 'Pigs altogether. He homered for the first time as a 'Pig on Thursday, a game-winner, part of a four-hit game where he scored three times as well and had a stolen base. It's the first four-hit game for Rojas since last year with Reading, when he did it three times.
SWIPER NO SWIPING: The 'Pigs have been the best in the IL in throwing out base stealers. The 'Pigs have caught 37 runners, which is 12 more than anyone else in the league. They've only allowed 60 stolen bases total as well, which is tied for fifth fewest in the league. Aramis Garcia has the most CS in all of MiLB. with 24. It's not just the catchers too, as 'Pigs outfielders have racked up 21 outfield assists.
BUDDY, BUDDY: Another new 'Pig, another great debut. Buddy Kennedy went 3-for-5 in his 'Pigs debut in Syracuse, tying the game with a two-run double in the sixth. Kennedy finished the week against Syracuse by going 7-for-17 with three doubles, a homer, and six RBI. He picked up an RBI single in the series opener against Norfolk before swatting two homers in the win on Wednesday, matching the total he had this year with Toledo. It was Kennedy's first multi-homer game since September 11, 2021 when he went deep twice for the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Kennedy was acquired for cash from Detroit last week. Kennedy was originally drafted by Arizona out of Millville Senior HS, in Millville, NJ the same High School that Mike Trout attended. Kennedy has a hit in all 10 games he's played as an IronPig.
GRILLED RUBEN: Ruben Cardenas made his 'Pigs debut last Saturday night and promptly smacked two homers and drove in six runs. Cardenas followed that up with another homer to open the series against the Mets, his third in his first three games. Cardenas picked up a hit in each of the first five games he played as an IronPig. Cardenas was dealt to the Phillies from Tampa Bay in exchange for cash on June 6. He now has 13 homers on the season across his time with Durham and the IronPigs.
TALKIN' TATERS: The 'Pigs hit a season-high five homers their series finale against Columbus two weeks ago, a season high. Last year, the 'Pigs hit six homers twice, but never hit exactly five. Within the five homers Sunday, David Dahl and Weston Wilson hit back-to-back homers to start the game for the first time this year. Aramis Garcia capped the frame with a two-run homer, the first time this year the 'Pigs have hit three bombs in an inning. Since May 13, the IronPigs lead the IL in homers with 66.
LAZAR BEAM: Max Lazar has been nails at the back end of the bullpen for Lehigh Valley. Since allowing two runs (one earned) in his first Triple-A outing, Lazar has rattled off 15.1 straight scoreless innings (13 appearances), allowing just four hits and three walks, striking out 18 and converting all seven of his save chances. Transferred to Lehigh Valley on May 8, Lazar didn't allow a run (or a walk) in 10.1 innings with Reading, striking out 18 while allowing just three hits.
PINCH-HIT PALOOZA: The IronPigs have not been afraid to dip into their bench and go to a pinch hitter this season. They already have 29 pinch-hit plate appearances (leading the IL by 13), with six hits, including three doubles and a homer. Of those six hits, three have tied or given the 'Pigs the lead. Last year, the 'Pigs had just 23 pinch-hit plate appearances all season, with three hits total.
AMONG HALLOWED HALLS: Darick Hall, currently sitting at 65 career homers with Lehigh Valley, needs just four more homers to tie Andy Tracy (69) for the most homers in franchise history and also has 232 career RBI with the 'Pigs, needing just 29 RBI to tie Tracy (261) for the RBI mark.
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN: David Buchanan has returned to the IronPigs after an eight-year absence and has already made waves in the record book. With his victory on April 10, Buchanan secured his 25th win as an IronPig, giving him the most in franchise history. He's in sight of the strikeout record as well, currently 72 punchouts away from breaking Drew Carpenter's mark of 306