The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (45-54) finished its six-game series versus the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (58-39) Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park.
David Paulino (4-3, 4.13 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Nick Nelson (2-2, 3.72 ERA).
The IronPigs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a bases loaded walk by RailRiders pitcher Nick Nelson.
In the bottom of the second inning, RailRiders pitcher Nick Nelson put two IronPigs runners on base before being replaced by Nick Goody. Nick Goody walked Adam Haseley to load the bases before hitting IronPigs third baseman Alec Bohm that walked in a run 2-0.
Still, with the bases loaded and two outs, Goody walked IronPigs designated hitter Matt Vierling and Lehigh Valley were up 3-0. The RailRiders replaced Nick Goody with Brody Koerner. The first batter Koerner faced was IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall. Darick Hall cleared the bases with a grand slam to right field for a 7-0 lead. It was his thirteenth home run of the year and second grand slam of the season.
At the top of the fifth inning with two outs, IronPigs pitcher David Paulino hit RailRiders catcher Max McDowell. McDowell charged the mound after Paulino, while IronPigs catcher Tyler Heineman caught McDowell to calm him down. Meanwhile, the benches cleared.
Once the situation was under control, IronPigs pitcher David Paulino and RailRiders catcher Max McDowell were ejected. David Paulino finished the game (4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 SO). Austin Ross was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. With runners on first and second base, RailRiders center fielder Estevan Florial reached first base on a fielding error when CJ Chatman missed the throw to Darick Hall. A run scored, and the IronPigs lead was 7-1.
Then, a double steal happened with Estevan Florial stealing second base, and Max Burt stole home that cut the IronPigs lead 7-2. RailRiders left fielder Greg Allen struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, with runners on the corners, IronPigs right fielder Cornelius Randolph singles on a sharp line drive to right field, scoring a run for an 8-2 lead. IronPigs second baseman TJ Rivera followed up with an RBI single to right field, bringing home another run 9-2. Then, IronPigs catcher Tyler Heineman singled on a soft line drive to center field for a 10-2 lead.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, the IronPigs replaced Austin Ross with Seranthony Dominguez. After Dominguez gave up two singles, RailRiders second baseman Max Burt chopped the ball high enough to reach first base while bringing home a run trailing 10-3.
With runners on the corners, RailRiders designated hitter Socrates Brito singled to center field, scoring another run 10-4. That was it for Dominguez, and Damon Jones was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. On a 3-2 count, Damon Jones gave up a single to RailRiders catcher Rob Brantley, bringing home a run 10-5. Damon Jones got RailRiders right fielder Trey Amburgey to pop out that ended the inning.
At the top of the ninth inning, Taylor Guerrieri closed out the game for Lehigh Valley. He got the last three outs of the game, and the IronPigs defeated the RailRiders 10-5.
The win went to IronPigs pitcher Austin Ross (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SO), while RailRiders starter Nick Nelson (1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB) earned the loss.
The IronPigs will have off on Monday before continuing their homestand against the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday at 7:05 pm.
