The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (47-58) played two seven-inning GAMES Saturday at Coca-Cola Park against the Syracuse Mets (42-62).
In game one, Jack Perkins (0-1, 4.50 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley versus Syracuse’s Adam Oller (2.0, 0.53 ERA).
At the top of the fourth inning, with a runner on first base, Mets third baseman David Thompson hit a two-run home run out towards left field that put the Mets up 2-0.
After giving up a double to Mets catcher David Rodriquez followed by Mets pitcher Adam Oller’s ground out, the IronPigs took Jack Perkins (4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 SO, 1 SO) out for Jakob Hernandez. Two batters later, Mets shortstop Wilfredo Tovar singled on a line drive to right field, adding another run for the Mets 3-0.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, Stephen Nogosek closed out the game for the Mets. After giving up a single to IronPigs shortstop C.J. Chatham, Nogosek struck out pinch hitter Charlie Tilson, followed by Cornelius Randolph, WHO grounded into a double play that ended the game.
The IronPigs were shut out by the Mets 3-0 in game one. Lehigh Valley only had four hits in the game. The win went to Mets pitcher Adam Oller (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs starter Jake Perkins. Mets closer Stephen Nogosek (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) earned his sixth save of the season.
In game two, David Parkinson (1-10, 7.43 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley against Syracuse’s Jesus Reyes (3-9, 5.54 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, with a runner on first base, Mets first baseman David Thompson tripled to left field, scoring a run that put the Mets out front 1-0.
The Mets poured it on at the top of the third inning. With runners on second and third base, Mets first baseman David Thompson doubled on a sharp line drive to left field, scoring two runs for a 3-0 lead. It was Thompson’s third RBI of the game and fifth of the doubleheader.
The next batter up was Mets center fielder Khalil Lee. He singled on a sharp ground ball to center field, adding another run for a 4-0 lead, followed by a two-run home run to left field by third baseman Chester Cuthbert for a 5-0 lead. That would be it for IronPigs pitcher David Parkinson (2.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR). Tyler Alexander came in for Lehigh Valley.
IronPigs pitcher Tyler Alexander loaded the bases. Then, after striking out Mets pitcher Jesus Reyes, he got Mets right fielder Mark Payton to ground out to first baseman Darick Hall for the second out as another run scored 7-0. Tyler Alexander was replaced by Taylor Guerrieri, who got the last out to end the inning.
Just when it looked like the IronPigs were out of it. They started to make a comeback in the bottom of the third inning. With the bases loaded for IronPigs center fielder Charlie Tilson, who doubled on a line drive to left field, scoring two runs that cut the Mets lead 7-2.
Then, IronPigs third baseman Nick Maton doubled to right field, scoring two more runs and making it 7-4. That led the Mets to make a pitching change with Yeizo Campos in for Jesus Reyes (2.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO). Finally, a sacrifice fly by IronPigs left fielder Mickey Moniak made it a two-run game 7-5.
At the top of the fourth inning, with a runner on second base, Mets left fielder Wagner Lagrange doubled on a ground ball to right field, bringing home a run 8-5. After Lagrange stole second base, Mets second baseman Orlando Calixte singled on a ground ball to IronPigs second baseman Nate Fassnacht. Fassnacht threw home; however, IronPigs catcher Tyler Heineman did not catch Fassnacht’s ball and a run scored for a 9-5 Mets lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, with a runner on second base, IronPigs second baseman Nat Fassnacht singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring a run to cut the Mets lead 9-6.
Moving ahead to the top of the sixth inning with runners on first and second base, Mets second baseman Orlando Calixte doubled to right field, scoring another run for a 10-6 lead.
At the top of the seventh inning, Braeden Ogle was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. He loaded the bases, walking three players before Mets third baseman Chester Cuthbert singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring two runs for a 12-6 lead. Mets left fielder Wagner Lagrange followed up with an RBI single to left field, adding another run 13-6.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Bradley Roney closed out the game for the Mets. He struck out the side to end the game, and the IronPigs go down 13-6 to the Mets.
The win went to Mets pitcher Yeizo Campos (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs starter David Parkinson, his eleventh loss of the season.
The series wraps up today at 6:35 pm. Adonis Medina (3-5, 5.05 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley against Syracuse’s Jerad Eickhoff (7-1, 4.87 ERA).
