IRONPIGS START A NEW SERIES TONIGHT VS BUFFALO!

BISONS AND 'PIGS OPEN FOUR-GAME SET TONIGHT

*** Tonight's series opener between the Buffalo Bisons and Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park is still on as scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ***
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BUFFALO BISONS (25-17)
3rd place, 1.5 GB (Nor. Division) LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS (16-25)
5th place, 10.0 GB (Nor. Division)
RHP Dillon Gee (4-1, 4.21) RHP Brandon Duckworth (1-0, 1.89)

COCA-COLA PARK, ALLENTOWN PA

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The IronPigs get their first look at a vastly improved Buffalo Bisons club from a season ago Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park. Buffalo, owners of the worst record at 56-87 in the IL a season ago, are eight games over .500 and just a game and a half out of first place in the Northern division this season.

Last year the ‘Pigs took 10 of 16 games against their Northern Division rivals including winning four of five in the final series of the 2009 season. All-time the ‘Pigs are 18-14 against the Bisons.

The glaring difference between this years Bisons squad and last year’s is the addition of Mike Hessman in the middle of the order. The 2007 IL Most Valuable Player is again posting MVP type numbers in Buffalo this season hitting .303 with a league leading 14 home runs and 47 RBI.

Hessman, the active minor league home run leader with 325 round-trippers, spent the last five seasons with the Toledo Mud Hens. The 32-year-old slugger leads an offense which ranks second in the IL in average (.284), slugging (.451), home runs (44) and total bases (656). Last season the Bisons ranked among the bottom of the league in these very same categories.

IronPigs right-hander Brandon Duckworth will be charged with the task of slowing the Herd’s offensive stampede which is a bit hampered with injuries to lead-off man Jason Pridie, prospect Fernando Martinez and former IronPig Mike Cervenak.

Duckworth has been stellar both out of the bullpen and in his two starts this season. The 2001 IL Most Valuable Pitcher, has fanned 25 in 19 innings and allowed just 13 hits. In his two starts he has allowed just two earned runs over 10 innings. His last start in the series finale against Gwinnett, Duckworth mowed down a season eight against just one walk but took a no-decision when the Braves scored four in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.

The IronPigs offense received good news Friday when SS Wilson Valdez cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Lehigh Valley. Valdez hit .455 (10-for-22) with five RBI in five games with the ‘Pigs before being promoted to Philadelphia on April 14. Perhaps the 5-11, 170-pound infielder who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday can provide a spark to an offense which has struggled over the last few weeks. To make room for Vadez, RHP John Ennis, who appeared in one game for the 'Pigs in his two-day stint with Lehigh Valley, was assigned back to Reading (AA).

Northampton High School graduate and Phillies catcher Brian Schneider is expected to start and play seven innings tonight for the IronPigs after going 0-for-2 in five innings last night. Though, he narrowly missed a home run when his line drive down the right field line in the fourth inning hooked a few feet foul. Schneider was placed on the DL with a strained left Achilles on May 9 but is expected to return to the Phils in New York on Tuesday when they open a series with the Mets.

Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer will have the call beginning at 6:05 p.m. for the AT&T Pre-Game Show on the IronPigs Radio Network, ESPN Radio 1230-1320 AM. The game will also be televised along the IronPigs Television Network powered by Service Electric Cable TV & Communications.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY?:
Pre-game Happy Hour and Concert Series featuring American Idol finalist Tyler Grady and his band Wailing Waters... AT&T Plaza gate will open at 4:30 for $1 hot dogs and $3 Bud and Bud Lights... Topps Attax Regional Tournament for kids 12 and under with winner advancing to National Championships at Citi Field in New York City.
UPCOMING GAMES / PITCHING PROBABLES:
Sunday, May 23 (1:35) - Buffalo Bisons @ IronPigs / RHP Tobi Stoner (2-4, 4.83) vs. RHP Nate Bump (4-1, 2.29)

Monday, May 24 (7:05) - Buffalo Bisons @ IronPigs / RHP Dylan Owen vs. LHP Joe Savery (0-4, 4.38)

Tuesday, May 25 (7:05) - Buffalo Bisons @ IronPigs / TBA vs. RHP Drew Carpenter (4-4, 3.98)
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:
Sunday, May 23 (1:35) - 'Pigs Youth Cap giveaway (2,000 Youth; 17U) presented by Capital BlueCross

Monday, May 24 (7:05) - IronPigs Mini-Bat Giveaway (2,000 Kids; 12U) presented by PPL Electric Utilities

Tuesday, May 25 (7:05) - IronPigs Golf Umbrella Giveaway (3,000 Adults, 18 and over) courtesy of the Morning Call... Dance Team Night #2 and TD Bank Ballpark Bingo