The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (18-18) visited Polar Park for the first time Tuesday night versus the Worcester Red Sox (23-13). The IronPigs headed into this game 5-7 for the month of June. The starting pitchers for the game were Adonis Medina (3-3, 4.85 ERA) against Raynel Espinal (5-1, 3.83 ERA) for Worcester.
The Red Sox didn’t waste any time in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs and a runner on third base, Red Sox third baseman Jonathan Arauz hit an RBI single to center field to put Worcester up 1-0. Then Red Sox’s first baseman Josh Ockimey hit a two-run home run out towards left field, extending Worcester’s lead 3-0.
At the top of the third inning, with a runner on second base and no outs, IronPigs right fielder Matt Vierling hit an RBI single to right field, scoring a run that cut the Red Sox lead 3-1. Vierling made his IronPigs debut after starting the season in Reading with a .345 BA, OPB .422, SLG .644, 30 hits, six doubles, one triple, 16 RBIs, and six home runs.
In the bottom of the third inning, with a runner on second base, Red Sox left fielder Franchy Cordero doubled to right field, scoring a run for a 4-1 lead. Two batters later, Red Sox second baseman Jeter Downs hit an RBI single to left field, adding another run, 5-1.
Bryan Mitchell replaced Medina in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Jonathan Arauz singled to center field, scoring two more runs for a 7-1 Red Sox lead.
At the bottom of the seventh inning, Jeff Singer replaced Bryan Mitchell. The bases were loaded with two outs when Franchy Cordero hit a two-run double to right field that made it a 9-1 Red Sox lead.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, David Paulino was in for Lehigh Valley. With one out and the runners on second and third, Jonathan Arauz brought home another run on a sacrifice fly for a 10-1 lead. It was Arauz’s fourth RBI of the game.
Kevin McCarthy came in for the Red Sox in the ninth inning. He gave up one hit to Ruben Tejada and got three outs that ended the game. The IronPigs suffered a 10-1 loss to the Red Sox. Lehigh Valley are now 2-5 against Worcester this year and 5-8 in the month of June. The loss also drops Lehigh Valley below .500 (18-19), while the Red Sox are on a seven-game winning streak.
Adonis Medina (4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB) suffered the loss. It was his fourth straight loss since starting the season 3-0. The winning pitcher went to Raynel Espinal (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO).
Both teams will go at it again at Polar Park Wednesday at 6:35 pm with Daniel Gossett (4-1, 3.58) starting for Worcester. At the same time, the IronPigs will announce their pitcher tomorrow.
