The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7-4) returned to PNC Field Sunday afternoon against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (8-3), looking to split the series. The starting pitchers for the game were Spencer Howard (0-0, 0.00) for the IronPigs versus Deivi Garcia (1-0, 5.40) for the RailRiders.
The game was scoreless for the first four innings. In the bottom of the fourth, RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens hit a solo home run out to right field to put Scranton up 1-0. That was it for IronPigs pitcher Spencer Howard who pitched four innings, allowing two hits, two walks, one earned run, and eight strikeouts. David Paulino replaced Howard in the fifth inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Iron Pig’s designated hitter Cornelius Randolph hit a single on a 3-1 count. Deivi Garcia tried to pick off Randolph at first base, but the ball got away, allowing Randolph to head to third base. Then, Garcia threw a wild pitch, and Randolph scored to tie the game at one apiece.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, David Paulino was pitching for the IronPigs. The RailRiders hit two singles plus an error by Austin Listi loaded the bases. Paulino walked RailRiders left fielder Zack Zehner and hit catcher Rob Brantly to walk home two runs, making it 3-1.
After hitting Brantly, Paulino was taken out for Enyel De Los Santos. This was De Los Santos’s season debut for the IronPigs after spending this season with the Phillies. Santos got the next three batters out.
Lehigh Valley’s offense were unable to generate any more runs for the rest of the game. RailRiders pitcher Nestor Cortes sealed the game for the RailRiders as they defeated the IronPigs 3-1. The win went to RailRiders pitcher Brooks Kriske, the loss went to David Paulino, and Nestor Cortes earned the save.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will continue their road trip on Tuesday, May 18th, at NBT Bank Stadium against the Syracuse Mets at 6:35 pm.
