After being rained out last night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (13-8) returned to Coca-Cola Park for game one of a doubleheader versus the Worcester Red Sox (12-9). Both teams will play two seven-inning games. The starting pitchers for this game were Matt Moore of Lehigh Valley, who is on a rehab assignment against Raynel Espinal for the Red Sox.
The game was scoreless in the first two innings until the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, IronPigs designated hitter Travis Jankowski walked. He then stole second base. Then IronPigs shortstop Ruben Tejada singled to right field, scoring Jankowski to put the IronPigs up 1-0.
At the top of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley made a pitching change with Julian Garcia in for Matt Moore. Moore pitched three innings, giving up one hit with five strikeouts. Garcia walked Red Sox second basemen, Michael Chaves. Then he gave up a two-run home run to Red Sox left fielder Franchy Cordero to put Worcester up 2-1.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning with one out. IronPigs catcher Jack Conley doubled to right field. Sal Gozzo replaced Jankowski as the designated hitter. Then Gozzo doubled to left field, bringing Conley home to tie the game at two apiece.
At the top of the seventh inning, Garcia gave up a single to Red Sox catcher Chris Herrmann. Two batters later, with one out, Red Sox’s first baseman Josh Ockimey crushed a two-run home run out towards right field, putting the Red Sox back on top 4-2.
Former Phillies pitcher Brandon Workman came in to close it out at the bottom of the seventh inning. He struck out the side to give the Red Sox a 4-2 win.
The win went to Red Sox pitcher Raynel Espinal (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO), while Julian Garcia (3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss.
The double-header concludes at 6:55 pm from Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs will send Bailey Falter (1-0, 2.41 ERA) against Red Sox pitcher Daniel Gossett (2-1, 4.50 ERA).
