For the final time of the 2021 season, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (50-62) were at Polar Park against the Worcester Red Sox (64-49). These two teams will have one more meeting at Coca-Cola Park in the final week of the regular season in a couple of weeks.
The IronPigs had to reshuffle their lineup after Adonis Medina, Matt Joyce, and Mickey Moniak were called up to the Phillies. Cornelius Randolph played right field, Luke Williams at third base, and Adam Haseley at center field. Adonis Medina was supposed to start today. Instead, David Paulino (4-3, 3.82 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley versus Worcester’s Daniel Gossett (6-3, 4.40 ERA).
The game was scoreless in the first two innings until the bottom of the third inning. That is when Red Sox shortstop Jeremy Rivera hit a solo home run out towards right-center field for a 1-0 lead.
At the top of the fifth inning, IronPigs right fielder Cornelius Randolph was walked by Daniel Gossett. Then, Randolph stole second base. After IronPigs catcher Tyler Heineman moved Randolph to third base, Red Sox pitcher Daniel Gossett threw a wild pitch, and Randolph scored to tie the game 1-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Braeden Ogle replaced David Paulino, who finished the day throwing 71 pitches (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 1 HR).
Jakob Hernandez replaced Braeden Ogle in the bottom of the eighth inning. Red Sox shortstop Jeremy Rivera doubled to left field. Then Red Sox center fielder Tate Matheny followed up with a two-run shot to center field to put the Red Sox up 3-1.
At the top of the ninth inning, Yacksel Rios closed the game for the Red Sox. He got the first two IronPigs batters out before giving up a hit to IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall. Then, he struck out IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton to end the game. The IronPigs lose to the Red Sox 3-1.
The win went to Red Sox pitcher Martín Pérez (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Jakob Hernandez (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 SO, 1 HR).
The IronPigs will have off on Monday before returning to Coca-Cola Park to play the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. This will be the final meeting of the season between the two teams starting Tuesday at 7:05 pm.
