For the final time of the 2021 season, the IronRail Series came to a close between the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (52-66) and the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (68-49) at Coca-Cola Park.
Mauricio Llovera (2-1, 3.79 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s JP Sears (4-0, 3.57 ERA).
At the top of the third inning, with RailRiders runners on the corners, IronPigs pitcher Mauricio Llovera threw a wild pitch, allowing a run to come home for a 1-0 RailRiders lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, with a runner on third base, IronPigs left fielder Luke Williams singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Adam Haseley that tied the game 1-1.
At the top of the fifth inning, Jeff Singer was now the new IronPigs pitcher. Mauricio Llovera threw 45 pitches (4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO).
The RailRiders had runners on the corners at the top of the fifth inning when right fielder Socrates Brito singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run to take a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, RailRiders left fielder Miguel Andujar singled on a soft fly ball to shortstop Nick Maton. IronPigs left fielder Luke Williams went to catch the ball and missed as another run scored for the RailRiders 3-1.
Two batters later, RailRiders catcher Donny Sands singled on a line drive to center field, adding another run 4-1.
At the top of the sixth inning, with RailRiders runners on the corners, right fielder Socrates Brito singled on a soft line drive to left field, scoring his second RBI of the game 5-1.
The IronPigs batters were quiet for the rest of the game. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Ron Marinaccio was the new RailRiders pitcher. With two outs, IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall singled to right field. Then, IronPigs catcher Rafael Marchan flied out for the last out. The IronPigs lose the series finale 5-1. The season series is 21-15 RailRiders.
The win went to RailRiders starter JP Sears (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 7 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Jeff Singer (1.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO).
The IronPigs are off on Monday before hitting the road for the final time of the season, beginning Wednesday from Sahlen Field versus the Buffalo Bisons at 6:05 pm.
