Iron Pigs Announce 2013 Schedule

A boatload of weekend games during the premier summer months, along with dozens of rivalry games against the Yankees', Red Sox' and Mets' Triple-A affiliates highlight the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 2013 home schedule.

The sixth season in club history debuts Thursday, April 4 against the Syracuse Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park, marking the first of seven consecutive home games to commence the campaign.

The 144-game schedule once again features 72 home games at Coca-Cola Park although the calendar is backloaded and includes 61 of those home dates after May 1. Also, nearly half of the games (34 of 72) are slated for weekends.

The longest homestand of the year is a nine-gamer from June 25 to Independence Day Eve on July 3. Additional holiday home games are set for Father's Day on June 16 and Labor Day on September 2.

The IronPigs host rival Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, for a total of eight games beginning with a four-game weekend summer series, June 13-16. The teams will also square off at Coca-Cola Park with possible playoff implications for a pair of series, August 19-20 and August 30-31. Either Lehigh Valley or Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has reached the postseason each of the last seven seasons.

The Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's top farm club and Lehigh Valley's first round playoff opponent in 2011, also play a total of eight games at Coca-Cola Park with series scheduled for April 8-10, July 8-10 and September 1-2. The New York Mets Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, also traverse Coca-Cola Park for eight games in 2013.

The 2013 campaign rests from July 15-17 for the annual Triple-A All-Star game between the International League and Pacific Coast League. The 2013 game will be held in Reno, Nev. on July 17.

Per International League procedure, the IronPigs will play each team in their division, the North Division, 16 times (eight home, eight away); and teams in the South and West Division eight times (four home, four away). Lehigh Valley's North Division opponents are the Buffalo Bisons (New York-N), Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston), Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (New York-A) and the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington). Teams in the South Division are the Charlotte Knights (Chicago-A), Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay), Norfolk Tides (Baltimore) and Gwinnett Braves (Atlanta). The West Division consists of the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland), Louisville Bats (Cincinnati), Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh) and Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit).

Starting times will be announced at a later date but are expected to remain similar to 2012.

IronPigs ticket plan holders can expect information on renewing their plan(s) for the 2013 season during the week of August 13-17. Those interested in purchasing a new ticket plan can call (610) 841-PIGS (7447) to place their deposit, starting at just $40 per seat for 18-game plans and $100 per seat for full-season ticket packages. Seat selection for new plan holders will take place this fall and is based on purchase date, the type of plan purchased and availability.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are dedicated to providing family-friendly entertainment and are the only Minor League team to offer bubbles to fans entering the AT&T Plaza and balloons for all children exiting Coca-Cola Park.

2013 Lehigh Valley IronPigs Schedule

APRIL

4-7 vs. Syracuse

8-10 vs. Pawtucket

12-14 @ Syracuse

15-18 @ Pawtucket

19-22 vs. Buffalo

23-26 @ Indianapolis

27-30 @ Louisville

MAY

2-5 vs. Indianapolis

6-9 vs. Louisville

10-13 @ Durham

14-17 @ Norfolk

18-21 vs. Rochester

23-26 vs. Norfolk

27-30 @ Rochester

31 vs. Gwinnett

June

1-3 vs. Gwinnett

4-7 @ Buffalo

8-11 vs. Charlotte

13-16 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

17-20 @ Toledo

21-24 @ Columbus

25-28 vs. Durham

29-30 vs. Toledo

July

1-2 vs. Toledo

3 vs. Syracuse

4-5 @ Syracuse

6-7 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

8-10 vs. Pawtucket

11-12 vs. Buffalo

13-14 @ Syracuse

15-17 ALL STAR BREAK in Reno, Nev.

18-21 vs. Columbus

22-25 @ Rochester

26-29 @ Pawtucket

30-31 vs. Rochester

August

1-2 vs. Rochester

3-4 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

5-8 @ Charlotte

9-12 @ Gwinnett

14-16 vs. Syracuse

17-18 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

19-20 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

22-25 @ Buffalo

26-27 vs. Buffalo

28-29 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

30-31 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

September

1-2 vs. Pawtucket