Adam Leverett made his Lehigh Valley IronPigs (40-45) debut Friday night at PNC Field against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (50-32). Leverett was called up from Reading, where he went 0-5 with a 7.84 ERA. He also spent time with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. He went 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA. The RailRiders started Braden Bristo (0-0, 4.15 ERA).
RailRiders pitcher Braden Bristo loaded the bases at the top of the second inning. Lehigh Valley third baseman Ruben Tejada drove in two runs with a single to right-center field that put the IronPigs up 2-0.
At the top of the fifth inning, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton grounded out to second base with the bases loaded, scoring a run for a 3-0 lead. Then, IronPigs left fielder Matt Vierling doubled to center field, adding two more runs 5-0.
The RailRiders ended the IronPigs shutout attempt when designated hitter Greg Allen hit a solo home run to right field, cutting Lehigh Valley’s lead 5-1.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Damon Jones was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. With runners on the corners for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, RailRiders catcher Donny Sands made it a one-run game 5-4 with a three-run home run to left field.
Needing an insurance run and runners on first and second base, Lehigh Valley left fielder Matt Vierling singled to right field, scoring a run for a 6-4 lead.
Cam Bedrosian was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the ninth inning. After giving up a double to RailRiders center fielder Ryan LaMarre, Bedrosian struck out the next three batters to end the game. Lehigh Valley defeated Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 6-4.
Adam Leverett (6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 1 HR) earned his first win as an IronPig, and the loss went to RailRiders pitcher Braden Bristo (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO).
Game four of the six-game series continues today at 6:05 pm. Adonis Medina (3-5, 4.94 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley to counter J.P. Sears (0-0, 1.80 ERA) of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
