IronPig starting pitcher Cole Irvin was looking into the bullpen Tuesday night.

The left-hander was just one out away from a gem.

One more batter retired and he would become the first IronPig to pitch to the minimum number of batters in a complete-game shutout — a just reward for a student of the game that is always looking for an edge.

Irvin (6-1, 2.73) makes it a habit to work fast between pitches and his strategy worked like a charm this past Tuesday as he kept the Charlotte hitters off-balance and scoreless through 8 2/3 innings. The benefits of a pitcher working fast makes his fielders happy by keeping them on their toes, but there is also a scientific reason behind it.

“It takes a batter 13 seconds [to process a pitch],” said Irvin, citing Mental Conditioning Coach Ken Ravizza, “If you throw [quickly] the batter will see a pitch before he can process the last pitch.”

With his pitches hitting their mark on a night where “everything” was working, Irvin cruised during an outing in which he relinquished just three hits and one walk, while striking out six.

“Everything was working,” Irvin said. “I could throw the slider for strikes, I could throw the curve ball for strikes, and the change-up as well. I really didn’t have to battle myself too much.”

This was a far cry from his previous outing in which he gave up four runs and was pulled after four innings. Although he still earned the win, it was not up to his standard. Like any pitcher, Irvin does not like to have short outings. He wants the ball. He wants to get outs.

Preparation begins four days before his next start. For this last start against Charlotte, Irvin came to the ballpark early and watched film to become more familiar with the Knights hitters.

“I look at how they hit lefties,” he said. “I just get an idea of what I am looking at. Normally, you see this when you play a team a few times.”

To add to that, Irvin was inspired by Phillies ace Jake Arrietta, who was quoted in an article about his approach to each outing.

“What inspired me is Arrieta talking about getting his 27 outs every outing,” Irvin said. “That kind of really pumped me up. I hate going short outings.”

Irvin was one out away from getting that elusive 27th out of the game. He had Charlotte center fielder Jacob May down in the count, and looked to blow one past him for the strikeout to end the game. May had other ideas by lacing a single.

“I wanted it,” said Irvin. “Any guy in that position wants it. I did not want [reliever Yacksel Rios] to come in.”

A tough seven-pitch battle with Charlotte’s leadoff hitter resulted in a walk and a trip to the mound by IronPig manager Gary Jones.

“Some words came out that I probably shouldn’t have said,” Irvin admitted. “I gave it my best.”

Rios entered the game and ended up throwing just one pitch, getting a ground out to seal the shutout win.

“I did not want to put him in that position, but he came in and cleaned it up,” said Irwin.

BACON SLICES ... Irvin is tied for the lead in the IL for wins (6). He is slated to pitch Tuesday night in Gwinnett ... Lehigh Valley has retained its position in first place for 24 straight day since taking over on May 8 ... The IronPigs posted a record of 18-13 in May, tied with Buffalo and Toledo for the best in the IL ... Joey Meneses led the IL in batting a few weeks ago, but has dropped to eighth (.311) ... Dylan Cozens, called up by the Phillies on Tuesday, is second in the IL in homers (10).