The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (25-32) defeated the Worcester Red Sox (34-23) Saturday night 9-1 at Coca-Cola Park behind Charlie Tilson’s two RBIs. On the mound for Lehigh Valley was Spencer Howard (1-0, 0.64 ERA), making his second start versus Tanner Houck (0-1, 4.08 ERA) for Worcester.
Worcester struck first at the top of the third inning with runners on the corners when left fielder Johan Mieses RBI single to left field put the Red Sox up 1-0.
Lehigh Valley responded in the bottom of the third inning. Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck’s ball got away from catcher Connor Wong, scoring a run that tied the game with runners on the corners. After IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton was walked, another pass ball moved catcher Rafael Marchan to third base. Then, a sacrifice fly by Lehigh Valley third baseman Matt Vierling put the IronPigs in the lead 2-1.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, with the bases loaded, IronPigs right fielder Charlie Tilson grounded out to first base, scoring a run that extended Lehigh Valley’s lead 3-1. Then, IronPigs left fielder Jake Elmore hit a two-run single to left-center field for a 5-1 lead. Two batters later, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton’s RBI doubled to right field making it 6-1.
At the top of the fifth inning, the IronPigs brought Cam Bedrosian in for Spencer Howard (4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO). In the bottom of the fifth inning, with one out and the bases loaded, IronPigs Charlie Tilson’s RBI single to right field added another run 7-1.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the sixth inning with one out and runners on first and second, IronPigs center fielder Mickey Moniak’s RBI single to right field added another run 8-1. Then, a sacrifice fly from first baseman Darick Hall made it 9-1.
At the top of the ninth inning, David Paulino was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. He was able to get three outs to end the game, and the IronPigs defeated the Red Sox 9-1.
The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Cam Bedrosian (1.1 IP, 2 SO), while the loss went to Worcester’s Tanner Houck (3.1 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO).
Both teams return to Coca-Cola Park for the series finale today at 1:35 pm with Tayler Alexander (0-1, 15.43 ERA) going for Lehigh Valley versus Worcester’s Stephen Gonsalves (3-2, 4.06 ERA).
