The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (21-27) started a six-game road trip at Trenton Thunder Ballpark in Trenton, NJ, versus the Buffalo Bisons (27-19) Tuesday night. The Bisons home, Sahlen Field, is currently being renovated. During the home season, the Bisons go by the name Trenton Thunder.
The other Trenton Thunder team is a member of the MLB Draft League. They were a long-time affiliate of the New York Yankees from 2003-20 and a former affiliate of the Boston Red Sox from 1995-2002.
Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 3.34 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against T.J. Zeuch (1-3, 4.39 ERA) for Buffalo.
The IronPigs struck first at the top of the first inning when Lehigh Valley first baseman Ruben Tejada’s RBI single put them up 1-0.
In the bottom of the second inning, with the bases loaded and one out, the Bisons tied it up on a forceout by second baseman Dilson Herrera tied the game 1-1.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the third inning with runners on the corners and two outs, Bisons left fielder Kevin Smith hit a three-run home run over the left field wall. This put Buffalo up 4-1. Kevin Smith would add another run in the bottom of the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly for a 5-1 lead.
Lehigh Valley cut Buffalo’s lead to 5-2 at the top of the sixth inning on a solo home run by IronPigs designated hitter Ryan Cordell. It was Cordell’s eleventh home run of the season. But, unfortunately, this was as close as the IronPigs got to the Bisons.
With runners on first and second in the bottom of the sixth inning, Bisons center fielder Logan Warmoth doubled to left field, extending Buffalo’s lead 6-2. Then, two straight sacrifice flies by shortstop Breyvic Valera and designated hitter Alejandro Kirk made it 8-2. Then, Bisons first baseman Rowdy Tellez’s solo home run out towards right field made it 9-2.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Damon Jones became the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. Jones loaded the bases with second baseman Dilson Herrera up at-bat. Herrera hit an RBI single to left field for a 10-2 Bisons lead. Then center fielder Logan Warmoth followed up with a two-run single to center field for a 12-2 lead.
Bisons pitcher Curtis Taylor came in for the ninth inning. He struck out two and a flyout that ended the game. The IronPigs suffered another double-digit loss to the Buffalo Bisons 12-2. In the last seven games, Lehigh Valley has lost by double-digits five times.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (3.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO), while the win went to Bisons starting pitcher T.J. Zeuch (5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 5 SO).
Both teams will go again for game two today at 7:05 pm with Thomas Hatch (0-1, 188 ERA) pitching for Buffalo while the IronPigs counter with Mark Appel (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
