The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-42) blew a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning and lose to the Buffalo Bisons (47-31) 9-7 Thursday night.
The IronPigs four-game win streak was snapped with the loss, while the Bisons snapped a five-game losing streak. Mark Appel (2-2, 5.32 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Buffalo’s Nick Allgeyer (3-2, 4.63 ERA).
Buffalo jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the top of the first inning on an RBI single by second baseman Christian Colon. Then, in the bottom of the first inning, IronPigs center fielder Mickey Moniak tied the game up 1-1 on an RBI triple to right field. IronPigs right fielder Matt Vierling followed up with an RBI single to center field to give Lehigh Valley the lead 2-1.
Moving ahead to the top of the fourth inning with a runner on first base, Bisons catcher Kellin Deglan put Buffalo back in the lead 3-2 with a two-run home run to right-center field.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, with a runner on first base, IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall tied the game 3-3 with an RBI double to left field.
Lehigh Valley would retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI double by center fielder Mickey Moniak for a 4-3 lead.
With a runner on first base, Bisons third baseman Richard Urena tied the game with an RBI double to right field at the top of the seventh inning. Each team seemed to answer the call of the other.
The IronPigs went with a different strategy in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a bunt single by IronPigs second baseman Sal Gozzo, Gozzo went to second base on a throwing error by Bisons third baseman Richard Urena. Then, IronPigs left fielder Charlie Tilson followed up with a bunt single of his own. Tilson reached first base, then a throwing error by Bisons pitcher Tommy Milone allowed Tilson to go to second base, and Gozzo scored to put the IronPigs back up 5-4.
Then, at the top of the eighth inning, Bisons right fielder Cullen Large tied the game again 5-5 on a solo home run to center field.
Buffalo would blow the game open at the top of the ninth inning. With runners on first and second base, when Bisons first baseman Tyler White doubled to left field, bringing home a run 6-5. Bisons third baseman Richard Urena would follow and hit an RBI single to right field for a 7-5 lead.
Buffalo’s second baseman Christian Colon followed up with a groundout to third base that allowed a run to score for an 8-5 lead. Three batters later, catcher Kellin Deglan singled to right field, bringing home another run 9-5.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, with a runner on first base, IronPigs third baseman Nick Maton tripled to right field that cut the Bisons lead to 9-6. Then a sacrifice fly by IronPigs center fielder Mickey Moniak made it a two-run game 9-7. After a single by IronPigs right fielder Matt Vierling, Lehigh Valley catcher Rafael Marchan struck out that ended game.
The IronPigs four-game win streak was snapped 9-7 to the Buffalo Bisons. Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Mark Appel finished the night (4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR). The win went to Bisons pitcher Hobie Harris (1.0 IP, 2 SO), and the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Braden Zarbnisky (1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 HR).
Game three of the six-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. David Parkinson (1-7, 6.36 ERA) is on the mound for the Lehigh Valley against Buffalo’s Bowden Francis (2-1, 3.18 ERA).
