The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (30-40) played a doubleheader at Coca-Cola Park versus the Worcester Red Sox (37-31). The IronPigs were looking to continue to build momentum after an 11-4 win Friday night. Julian Garcia (0-3, 6.75 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs in game one against Raynel Espinal (7-2, 3.32 ERA) of Worcester.
In game one, the IronPigs defeated the Red Sox 10-7 behind Mickey Moniak’s two home runs. The Red Sox jumped out to an early 3-0 lead at the top of the first inning on a three-run home run by first baseman Josh Ockimey.
Then, Red Sox third baseman Jonathan Arauz added another run with an RBI single for a 4-0 lead. However, Lehigh Valley responded in the bottom of the fourth inning. Red Sox pitcher Raynel Espinal threw a wild pitch with runners on the corners, scoring a run that cut Worcester’s lead to 4-1.
Three batters later, IronPigs left fielder Charlie Tilson’s RBI single cut the lead in half, 4-2. Then, IronPigs second baseman Daniel Brito hit a three-run home run out towards right field that put Lehigh Valley up 5-4.
The Red Sox tied the game 5-5 at the top of the third inning with an RBI single from center fielder Yairo Munoz. Then, in the bottom of the third inning, Lehigh Valley took a 7-5 lead on back-to-back home runs by designated hitter Mickey Moniak and right fielder Matt Vierling. Four batters later, IronPigs left fielder Charlie Tilson hit an RBI double to right field for an 8-5 lead.
At the top of the fourth inning, the Red Sox pulled within one 8-7 on an RBI double by right fielder Tate Matheny. Then, In the bottom of the sixth inning, with a runner on first base, designated hitter Mickey Moniak hit his second home run with a two-run homer out towards right field for a 10-7 lead. It was Moniak’s twelfth home run of the season.
At the top of the seventh inning, Cam Bedrosian was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. He got the three outs as the IronPigs defeated the Red Sox 10-7.
IronPigs starting pitcher Julian Garcia went (2.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, and 2 SO). The win went to Egg Harbor Township, NJ native Mike Adams (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 SO). The loss went to Red Sox starting pitcher Raynel Espinal (2.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 SO) and Cam Bedrosian (1.0 IP, 1 BB) earned his first save of the season.
In game two, the IronPigs defeated the Red Sox 6-4 behind Jorge Bonifacio’s three RBIs. David Paulino (2-2, 3.92 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley against John Schreiber (1-0, 3.31 ERA) for Worcester.
In the bottom of the first inning, with runners on second and third base, IronPigs designated hitter Jorge Bonifacio hit a two-run single to center field. This put Lehigh Valley up 2-0. Two batters later, IronPigs shortstop Daniel Brito’s RBI double made it 3-0.
Then IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall reached first base on a fielders choice, scoring a run for a 4-0 lead. Two batters later, center fielder Charlie Tilson’s bunt single scored another run for a 5-0 lead.
At the top of the fourth inning, the Red Sox started to cut into Lehigh Valley’s lead. With a runner on first base, Red Sox third baseman Jonathan Arauz’s two-run home run made it 5-2. However, the IronPigs would get one of the runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jorge Bonifacio reached first base on a fielding error, scoring a run for a 6-2 lead.
At the top of the fifth inning, with a runner on second base, Red Sox center fielder Yairo Munoz singled to center field, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs lead 6-3. Then at the top of the sixth inning, with a runner on second base, Red Sox catcher Jett Bandy’s RBI double made it a two-run game 6-4.
Lehigh Valley pitcher Brady Lail closed the game out at the top of the ninth inning. Lail got the three outs to complete the sweep as the IronPigs won 6-4.
The win went to IronPigs pitcher David Paulino (5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) and the loss went to John Schreiber (3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 SO). IronPigs pitcher Brady Lail (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned his first save of the year.
The series wraps up at Coca-Cola Park today at 1:35 pm.
