On Thursday night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (47-55) won their 900th game at Coca-Cola Park 3-2 over the Syracuse Mets (39-61).
Philadelphia Phillies starter Vince Velasquez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) made a rehab start for the IronPigs against Syracuse’s Zack Godley (2-0, 2.33 ERA).
Vince Velasquez was sharp in the first two innings, not giving up a hit and striking out one player. At the top of the third inning, Velasquez walked the first two Mets players. Met’s shortstop Wilfredo Tovar attempted to steal second base, but IronPigs catcher Logan Moore gunned him down for the second out.
Two batters later, Mets second baseman Jose Peraza doubled on a sharp line drive to left field that put the Mets up 1-0. Vince Velasquez struck out Mets center fielder Khalil Lee to end the inning. This was Velasquez’s final inning pitched. He threw 44 pitches and finished the night (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO).
Vince Velasquez walked in the bottom of the third inning, followed by IronPigs left fielder Charlie Tilson. However, Velasquez was picked off at second base for the first out. The Mets remained up 1-0 after three innings.
At the top of the fourth inning, Tyler Alexander became the new pitcher for the IronPigs. After loading the bases with one out, Alexander was replaced with Brady Lail. Lail got the Mets to ground into a double play to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs bats came alive. With runners on first and second base, IronPigs right fielder Adam Haseley singled on a sharp ground ball to center field that tied the game 1-1. IronPigs shortstop C.J. Chatham followed up with an RBI single to center field that put the IronPigs in the lead 2-1. Then, IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall hit a soft line drive to left field, scoring another run for a 3-1 lead.
Moving ahead to the top of the ninth inning, Egg Harbor Township, NJ native Mike Adams pitched the ninth inning. Adams got the first two outs. Then after a single by Met’s shortstop Wilfredo Tovar, Met’s pinch hitter Mason Williams followed up with an RBI double to right field that cut the IronPigs lead 3-2. Mike Adams was able to get Mets first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert to fly out that ended the game.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs earned their 900th career win with a 3-2 victory over the Syracuse Mets.
The win went to IronPigs pitcher Baily Lail (1.2 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO), while the loss went to Mets pitcher Zack Godley (6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO). IronPigs pitcher Mike Adams (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER) earned his first save of the season.
Game three of the six-game series is today at 7:05 pm. Both teams will announce their starters later today.
