The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (23-32) defeated the Worcester Red Sox Wednesday night 5-2 at Coca-Cola Park, snapping a two-game losing streak. The starting pitchers for the game were Mark Appel (1-0, 2.70 ERA) for Lehigh Valley and Raynel Espinal (7-1, 3.42 ERA) for Worcester.
In the bottom of the third inning, with runners on the corners and one out, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton’s sacrifice fly to center field put Lehigh Valley up 1-0.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning with the bases loaded, Red Sox pitcher Raynel Espinal walked Dalton Guthrie which put Lehigh Valley up 2-1. Then, shortstop Nick Maton’s two-run double to center field extended the IronPigs’ lead to 4-0. Two batters later, IronPigs center fielder Mickey Moniak grounded out to second baseman Jack Lopez that brought home another run 5-0.
Lehigh Valley took Mark Appel out and put in Mauricio Llovera. Appel finished the night (5.0 IP, 1, H 4 BB, 6 SO). The Red Sox ended the IronPigs shutout at the top of the sixth inning when right fielder Tate Matheny’s RBI single to right field made it a 5-1 game.
Moving ahead to the top of the ninth inning, JD Hammer was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. With two out, Red Sox third baseman Yairo Munoz crushed a solo home run out toward left field making it 5-2. JD Hammer struck out the final batter Franchy Cordero to end the game and a 5-2 win.
The win went to Mark Appel for his second win of the season, while Raynel Espinal (4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) of Worcester suffered the loss. The IronPigs are now 24-32 for the season.
Both teams return to Coca-Cola Park for game three today at 7:05 pm. On the mound for Lehigh Valley is David Parkinson (0-5, 6.65 ERA) versus Worcester’s Kyle Hart (4-4, 4.66).
