The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (52-64) resumed their Wednesday night suspended game Saturday afternoon against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (66-49).
Before the game was postponed Wednesday night. The IronPigs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after designated hitter T.J. Rivera singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Charlie Tilson from second base. IronPigs pitcher Mauricio Llovera threw 40 pitches (2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) when the rain began to fall.
On Saturday, Josh Hendrickson (0-0, 0.00) made his IronPigs debut. While in Reading, Hendrickson went (4-3, 3.64 ERA). Pitching for the RailRiders was Matt Krook (4-5, 3.74 ERA).
In the bottom of the third inning, RailRiders pitcher Matt Krook walked IronPigs left fielder Charlie Tilson. Then, IronPigs center fielder Adam Haseley reached first base on a fielding error by RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens. A sacrifice fly by IronPigs third baseman Luke Williams brought Tilson home for a 2-0 lead.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, IronPigs pitcher Josh Hendrickson loaded the bases, leading to a pitching change with Zach McAllister in for Hendrickson. Any runs scored would be charged to Hendrickson.
Josh Hendrickson finished the game with 80 pitches (4.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 3 SO). Then, on a 3-2 count, RailRiders first baseman Chris Gittens cleared the bases with a grand slam, putting the RailRiders in the lead 4-2.
At the top of the eighth inning, Taylor Guerrieri was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. With RailRiders second baseman Kyle Holder on second base with one out, Guerrieri was called for a balk, moving Holder to third base. Then, Guerrieri was called for another balk, two batters later with runners on the corners, scoring Kyle Holder for a 5-2 RailRiders lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, with a runner on second base, RailRiders designated hitter Trey Amburgey singled on a sharp ground ball to center field, adding another run 6-2.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Braden Bristo was the new pitcher for the RailRiders. With two outs, Nick Maton singled to left field. Then, Maton stole second base with no throw from RailRiders catcher Rob Brantley. Finally, Bristo got Cornelius Randolph to fly out that ended the game. The IronPigs lose to the RailRiders 6-2.
The win went to RailRiders pitcher Matt Krook (6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Josh Hendrickson. The RailRiders led the series 19-15 this year.
Both teams played game two 30 minutes after game one. Brady Lail (1-0, 7.22 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Brody Koerner (3-4, 3.50 ERA).
