Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 SO) earned his third win of the season Tuesday night at PNC Field against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (49-31). Sanchez came into this game with a record of 2-4 and a 4.04 ERA. Sanchez went up against RailRiders pitcher Deivi Garcia (2-4, 7.02 ERA).
Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall put the IronPigs up 1-0 at the top of the first inning on an RBI single to center field.
At the top of the second inning, IronPigs center fielder Charlie Tilson added to Lehigh Valley’s lead 3-0 with a two-run home run to right field. It was Tilson’s first home run of the season.
With the bases loaded for the IronPigs at the top of the fifth inning, RailRiders pitcher Reggie McClain threw a wild pitch, bringing home a run 4-0. Then, a sacrifice fly by IronPigs second baseman T.J. Rivera scored a run 5-0.
At the top of the ninth inning, with the bases loaded, IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall singled to center field, scoring two runs for a 7-0 lead. Hall now has 32 RBIs for the season. Then, an RBI single by designated hitter Tyler Heineman made it 8-0.
The RailRiders ended the shutout in the bottom of the ninth inning when RailRiders catcher Donny Sands hit a solo home run to right field. IronPigs pitcher Braeden Ogle got the three outs for an IronPigs to make it 8-1 over the RailRiders.
Lehigh Valley are now 38-44 for the season, sitting in fourth place and twelve games back in the division. Cristopher Sanchez earned his third win of the season, and the loss went to RailRiders pitcher Deivi Garcia (4.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR).
Game two of the six-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. Mark Appel (2-2, 5.40 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley versus Josh Maciejewski (0-1, 5.00 ERA).
