Just one night of making bad history, IronPigs pitching rebounded on Friday to turn in one of their finest performances. The IronPigs advanced to 6-0 when scoring first in games as they shut-out the Pawtucket Red Sox by a score of 3-0 to secure the series split. This was the first shutout that the IronPigs ended up on the right side of.
The IronPigs went into Friday's game minus their ace Vance Worley, who was scheduled to start for the IronPigs but called up to make a spot-start for the Phillies in the wake of Joe Blanton's trip to the disabled list.
Brian Gordon made the spot-start in turn for the IronPigs, and did absolutely everything that could have been asked of him, going 3.0 innings while allowing three hits and no runs with a walk and a strikeout. Opposing Gordon was Alfredo Aceves, who also had a solid outing despite taking the loss with three runs (two earned) over 5.0 innings pitched with three walks and five strikeouts.
The big story tonight was the bullpens for both sides, combining for 9.0 innings of no-hit relief. For the IronPigs, the bulk of the workload was shouldered by Chance Chapman who went 4.0 innings while striking out three and walking none to earn the win. Michael Schwimer would come in to pitch the eighth inning, striking out two and walking none, and Juan Perez came in to notch the save in the ninth.
For the Red Sox it was LHP Rich Hill, RHP Scott Atchison, and RHP Clevelan Santeliz who each pitched no-hit innings to keep the IronPigs to two hits.
The IronPigs were able to take advantage of miscues in order to supplement their stagnant hitting on the night. The only two hits of the night for the IronPigs were singles by Jeff Larish and Rob Hudson in the third inning. Following the two hits, Josh Barfield walked to load the bases with one out. Kevin Frandsen struck a sacrifice fly into right field that scored Jeff Larish, and then Hudson came racing in and managed to score ton the throw to the plate from right fielder J.C. Linares.
The IronPigs led off the fourth inning with two walks, followed by a poorly placed sacrifice bunt attempt by Rob Hudson that resulted in the force out at third base. Josh Barfield dribbled a ball to shortstop Jose Iglesias who flipped the ball to second for the force out, however they could not get the out on Barfield at first base as second baseman Drew Sutton threw the ball away. Erik Kratz came around to score, however Lars Anderson recovered and was able to throw out Barfield at second base.
The IronPigs were fortunate to have the outstanding pitching performances that they had tonight, as their offense took another night off. The Buffalo Bisons come to town for a four-game series beginning tomorrow, with Nate Bump getting the start against D.J. Carrasco.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
