The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (19-24) returned to Coca-Cola Park for game two Wednesday night versus first-place Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (29-17). The RailRiders won the opener 14-5 Tuesday night.
Lehigh Valley was on a five-game losing streak and are 5-8 this year against the RailRiders. The starting pitchers for the game were Ramon Rosso (0-1, 4.50) in place of Matt Moore. Moore was reactivated to the Phillies roster earlier in the day. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre sent Brody Koerner (1-3, 4.46 ERA) to mound.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shortstop Andrew Velazquez hit a solo home run over the center-right field wall, putting the RailRiders up 1-0.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, with two outs and runners on the corners, IronPigs designated hitter Austin Listi hit a soft ground ball to RailRiders third basemen Armando Alvarez. Alvarez had no play and a run scored that tied the game 1-1.
At the top of the eighth inning, David Paulino entered the game as the new IronPigs pitcher. With two outs and a runner on first, RailRiders right fielder Trey Amburgey tripled to right field, scoring a run that put Scranton/Wilkes-Barre back up 2-1.
Lehigh Valley answered back in the bottom of the eighth inning. Designated hitter Austin Listi was up with one out and runners on first and second. Listi singled to right field, bringing home a run that tied the game again 2-2.
The game went to extra innings. In the bottom of the twelfth inning, IronPigs left fielder Dalton Guthrie went to second base. After Lehigh Valley second baseman Scott Kingery struck out, it was center fielder Charlie Tilson’s turn. Tilson is making his third appearance since joining the IronPigs on June 22nd after spending time with Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. Tilson ended the game with a single to left field, giving the IronPigs a 3-2 win.
The win snapped Lehigh Valley’s five-game losing streak. IronPigs starting pitcher Ramon Rosso finished the night (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1, BB, 5 SO). The win went to Lehigh Valley’s Mauricio Llovera (1.0 IP, 1 SO). The loss went Luis Garcia (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 SO) of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Both teams will be back to Coca-Cola Park for game three today at 7:05 pm. The starting pitchers for the game are Julian Garcia (0-2, 7.13 ERA) of Lehigh Valley against Nick Nelson (0-0, 1.99 ERA) for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
