For the second time in this series, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (43-54) were blown out 11-4 Friday night at Coca-Cola Park by the surging Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (58-37). Lehigh Valley is on a four-game losing streak.
Cristopher Sanchez (4-5, 3.72 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley versus Scranton/Wilkes/Barre’s JP Sears (1-0, 2.45 ERA). Before the game began, several IronPigs players from Rafael Marchan to Jorge Bonifacio were called up to the Phillies as many of the Phillies went out for COVID protocols.
Lehigh Valley struck first in the bottom of the first inning with runners on first and second base. Left fielder Mickey Moniak singled to left field which brought home a run 1-0. After RailRiders JP Sears threw a wild pitch, IronPigs first baseman Matt Vierling singled to right field for a 2-0 lead.
With runners on the corners at the top of the second inning, the RailRiders tied it up 2-2 on a two-run double to left field by designated hitter Max McDowell. Then, RailRiders shortstop Cristian Perez singled to left field that put the RailRiders up 3-2.
At the top of the third inning, with runners on the corners, RailRiders right fielder Trey Amburgey singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring a run for a 4-2 lead. Then with the bases loaded, RailRiders designated hitter Max McDowell singled on a sharp line drive to center field that brought home two more runs 6-2.
After that, the IronPigs took Cristopher Sanchez out(2.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) and replaced him with Damon Jones. Then, RailRiders second baseman Max Burt singled to center field, adding another run 7-2. Then, Max Burt stole second base after IronPigs catcher Tyler Heineman’s throw was wide to CJ Chatham, allowing another run to come home 8-2.
Rain began to fall in the bottom of the fifth inning. With a runner on first base, IronPigs third baseman Alec Bohm doubled to center field, scoring a run to trail the RailRiders 8-3. Then, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton reached first base on a fielding error when RailRiders center fielder Jonathan Davis dropped a catchable ball. Lehigh Valley cut the lead in half 8-4.
At the top of the eighth inning, Mike Adams pitched for the IronPigs. With runners on first and third base, RailRiders center fielder Jonathan Davis singled on a line drive to left field, scoring two runs for a 10-4 lead. Then, RailRiders left fielder Greg Allen singled to center field, adding another run 11-4.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, RailRiders pitcher Nick Green finished the game, getting the last three outs as the IronPigs were blown out by the RailRiders 11-4.
The win went to RailRiders starting pitcher JP Sears (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO). The loss went to IronPigs starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez. It was Sanchez’s sixth loss of the season.
Game four of the six-game series continues today at 6:15 pm. Adonis Medina (3-5, 5.09 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Deivi Garcia (2-6, 6.87 ERA).
