The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (26-34) lost their second straight game 9-2 Wednesday night at Trenton Thunder Ballpark to the Buffalo Bisons (35-24). Chase Anderson (0-1, 4.50 ERA) started for the IronPigs against Bowden Francis (4-2, 3.49 ERA). Francis was making his Bisons debut after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers.
In the bottom of the first inning, with a runner on first base, Bisons catcher Alejandro Kirk doubled to right field, scoring a run that put Buffalo up 1-0. Then, Bisons left fielder Christian Colon hit a two-run home run over the signs of left field, extending Buffalo’s lead 3-0.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fourth inning, IronPigs pitcher Chase Anderson gave up another home run, this time to Bisons second baseman Dilson Herrera out towards left field for a 4-0 lead. It was Herrera’s sixth home run of the year. After that home run, the IronPigs replaced Chase Anderson (3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) with Jeff Singer.
At the top of the fifth inning, with the bases loaded, IronPigs center fielder Mickey Moniak singled to right field, ending the shut out 4-1. Then, a passed ball by Bisons catcher Alejandro Kirk scored another run, and the IronPigs trailed 4-2.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, IronPigs pitcher Jeff Singer loaded the bases. That led the IronPigs to make another pitching change with Bryan Mitchell. Two batters later, Bisons shortstop Breyvic Valera singled to first baseman Matt Vierling. Then Vierling threw the ball to Mitchell as Valera beat him to the plate, and another run scored 5-2.
The next batter up for Buffalo was third baseman Kevin Smith. After a wild pitch by Bryan Mitchell brought in another run for Buffalo, Smith cleared the bases with a three-run home run for a 9-2 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, with one out, the Bisons brought in Jon Axford to get the last two out. He did, and the IronPigs suffered a 9-2 defeat to the Bisons. Lehigh Valley are on a two-game losing streak.
The win went to Buffalo starting pitcher Bowden Francis (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO), and the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Chase Anderson.
Game three between the IronPigs and Bisons is today at 7 pm on MiLB.com.
