The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (28-39) played game two of the six-game series at Coca-Cola Park Wednesday night against the Worcester Red Sox (36-29). Spencer Howard was supposed to pitch the game but got called up and pitched the Phillies game. Mickey Moniak returned to the IronPigs. Mark Appel (2-0, 3.86 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley versus Marcus Walden (3-3, 4.45 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, IronPigs center fielder Odubel Herrera put Lehigh Valley on board 1-0 on a solo home run out to right field. Then at the top of the second inning, with runners on first and second, Red Sox third baseman Chad De La Guerra hit a three-run home run that hit the NJM sign at right field that put Worcester up 3-1.
Lehigh Valley fought back in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on the corners, IronPigs third baseman Matt Vierling singled to right field, scoring a run that cut the Red Sox lead to 3-2. Then, an RBI single by first baseman Darick Hall tied the game 3-3.
Then Worcester got the lead back at the top of the fifth inning 4-3 after catcher Connor Wong’s solo home run out towards right field. Red Sox shortstop Jonathan Arauz made it 5-3 with a solo home run to right field at the top of the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, with runners on first and second, IronPigs catcher Rafael Marchan’s RBI single to right field made it a one-run game 5-4.
At the top of the eighth inning, the Red Sox would get the run back 6-4 on an RBI single by shortstop Jonathan Arauz. Then, at the top of the ninth inning, Red Sox designated hitter Yairo Munoz drove in an insurance run for a 7-4 lead.
The Red Sox brought in Phillips Valdez to pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning. He stuck out IronPigs second baseman Ruben Tejada before giving up a single to Charlie Tilson. Then Valdez got the last two outs to end the game. The IronPigs lose 7-4 to Worcester.
The win went to Red Sox pitcher Stephen Gonsalves (4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO), while IronPigs starting pitcher Mark Appel (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered his first loss of the season.
Game three at Coca-Cola Park is today at 7:05 pm. David Parkinson (0-6, 6.71 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley. He will be facing off against Worcester’s Matthew Kent (0-0, 7.36 ERA).
