The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (21-26) were back at Coca-Cola Park Sunday afternoon for the series finale versus the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (31-13). Lehigh Valley were looking for the split after losing 10-4 Saturday night.
David Parkinson (0-4, 5.30) started for Lehigh Valley against Asher Wojciechowski (0-0, 0.00), making his debut for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The IronPigs got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when first baseman Darick Hall’s single drove in a run for a 1-0 lead. At the top of the second inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, RailRiders catcher Max McDowell singled to left field, scoring a run that tied the game 1-1. Then, the RailRiders slowly began to dismantle the IronPigs.
The top of the third inning started with a solo home run by RailRiders shortstop Hoy Jun Park that put the RailRiders up 2-1. Then, RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens followed through with a solo home run out towards left-center field for a 3-1 lead.
Two batters later, RailRiders right fielder Ryan LaMarre hit a two-run home over the left-center field wall, extending the lead 5-1. Then, the IronPigs made a pitching change with David Paulino in for Parkinson. With the bases loaded and one out, RailRiders designated hitter Estevan Florial hit a two-run double to right field for a 7-1 lead.
Then, the bases were loaded again for RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens. He hit a grand slam over the right-field wall for an 11-1 lead. It was Gittens’s fifth RBI of the day.
At the top of the sixth inning, the IronPigs brought in Zach Warren. However, the RailRiders were not done scoring. With runners on second and third with one out, RailRiders center fielder Greg Allen grounded out to shortstop Didi Gregorius, scoring another run 12-1.
Three batters later, RailRiders shortstop Hoy Jun Park singled to right field, bringing home another run 13-1. Then RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens doubled to left field, scoring two more runs 15-1. Gittens now had seven RBIs on the day.
The IronPigs made another pitching change with Mike Adams in for Zach Warren. Then Adams gave up a double to RailRiders left fielder Trey Amburgey, scoring two more runs 17-1.
At the top of the eighth inning, with a runner on third and one out, RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens singled to left field for his eighth RBI of the game 18-1. Two batters later, RailRiders right fielder Ryan LaMarre singled to left field, scoring a run now 19-1.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, RailRiders brought in Brian Keller to close the game. He gave up a single to right fielder Matt Vierling before getting the next three outs that ended the game. The IronPigs were dismantled by the RailRiders 19-1. Lehigh Valley are now 7-11 against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley starting pitcher David Parkinson (2.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO), his fifth loss of the season. The win went to RailRiders pitcher Brody Koerner (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R).
The IronPigs will have off tomorrow before beginning a six-game road trip in Trenton, NJ, against the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday, at 7:05 pm. The Bisons home, Sahlen Field, is currently being renovated.
