The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (35-41) returned to the field at Coca-Cola Park for the first time since their teammate collapsed on Saturday. The IronPigs defeated the Buffalo Bisons (46-30) 6-1 Tuesday night. Adonis Medina (3-5, 5.48 ERA) started for the IronPigs versus Buffalo’s Thomas Hatch (0-1, 2.15 ERA). The Lehigh Valley players all had Brito’s number 29 on their hats.
Lehigh Valley struck first in the bottom of the third inning when designated hitter Charlie Tilson doubled. The ball deflected off of Bison’s third baseman Christian Colon which brought home a run 1-0. Two batters later, a sacrifice fly by IronPigs right fielder Jorge Bonifacio made it 2-0. Then, an RBI double by center fielder Mickey Moniak extended Lehigh Valley’s lead 3-0.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, with runners on second and third, IronPigs second baseman Sal Gozzo hit an RBI single for a 4-0 lead. Then, designated hitter Charlie Tilson singled to left field, scoring another 5-0. It was Tilson’s second RBI of the night.
Moving to the bottom of the eighth inning with a runner on third base, IronPigs second baseman Sal Gozzo singled on a ground ball to the shortstop Kevin Smith that brought home another run 6-0.
Buffalo ended the shutout at the top of the ninth inning when third baseman Christian Colon singled to right field, scoring a run that cut Lehigh Valley’s lead to 6-1. However, IronPigs pitcher Mike Adams got the last three outs to end the game, and Lehigh Valley defeated Buffalo 6-1.
Julian Garcia (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) was the winning pitcher for Lehigh Valley, and the loss went to Buffalo’s Thomas Hatch (5.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO).
Game two of the six-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. The IronPigs will send Cristopher Sanchez (2-4, 4.46 ERA) to the mound against Buffalo’s Anthony Kay (0-2, 8.69 ERA).
