Lehigh Valley IronPigs clinch playoff berth

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Friday evening, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate, clinched a playoff berth with a 7-1 win over the Rochester Red Wings, who are the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins:

For the 2nd time in franchise history we are headed to the playoffs! Pigs Fly over Rochester 7-1! #GoHogWilcCard pic.twitter.com/GfjTQicstg

— IronPigs (@IronPigs) September 3, 2016

Top outfielding prospect Nick Williams powered the IronPigs in their Wild Card clinching victory, as he hit a two-run home run, his 13th of the season.  

The IronPigs will finish with the second best record in the International League, behind the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, who happen to be in their division. The IronPigs are now 83-57 after Friday's win. 

While top prospects Ben Lively, Nick Williams and J.P. Crawford are still with the team, the club certainly was helped by contributions from Jake Thompson, Tommy Joseph and Darin Ruf, all of whom are now with the Phillies. Thompson was named the International League Pitcher of the Year earlier this week. 

Following the win, Crawford, who is the top prospect in the Phillies system and one of the top in all of baseball, took to Twitter to celebrate: 

Pigs are going to playoffs!!!!!! PIGS FLY!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7iQWDVoyTd

— jp crawford (@jp_crawford) September 3, 2016

The IronPigs will play their first playoff game Wednesday at Coca-Cola Park.