The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (53-66) blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning to lose in extra innings at Sahlen Field 5-4 Thursday night against the Buffalo Bisons (72-47).
On Thursday, Cristopher Sanchez was supposed to start for the IronPigs. However, he was called up to the Phillies. Instead, Josh Perkins (0-2, 4.76 ERA) started for the IronPigs versus Bisons Nick Allgeyer (4-5, 5.45 ERA).
Bisons pitcher Nick Allgeyer walked the first two IronPigs batters. This was followed by a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Simon Muzziotti. Then, IronPigs second baseman C.J. Chatham grounded out to Bisons second baseman Christian Colon to score the game’s first run. Making it 1-0 at the top of the second inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, with runners on second and third base, Bisons right fielder Cavan Biggio grounded out to IronPigs second baseman C.J. Chatham. This scored a run that tied the game 1-1. Then, a single to left field by Bisons third baseman Santiago Espinal put the Bisons in the lead 2-1.
Trailing 2-1 at the top of the sixth inning, the IronPigs tied the game 2-2 when designated hitter Adam Haseley sent the ball out towards left field. It was Haseley’s third home run of the season. Two batters later, right fielder Jorge Bonifacio drilled a solo home run out towards left field that put the IronPigs back in the lead 3-2.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Mike Adams replaced Josh Perkins. Perkins threw 71 pitches (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO).
At the top of the ninth inning, with runners on the corners, IronPigs catcher Rafael Marchan singled on a line drive to left field, adding an insurance run for a 4-2 lead.
JD Hammer was now the new IronPigs pitcher in the bottom of the ninth inning. Hammer gave up a double to Bison’s third baseman Santiago Espinal then two batters later walked designated hitter Tyler White. Both Bisons players stole second and third base.
Then, Bisons second baseman Christian Colon tied the game 4-4 with a two-run single to left field, sending the game into extra innings.
Damon Jones was the new IronPigs pitcher to start the bottom of the tenth inning. In extra innings, a runner is placed on second base. First, Damon Jones hit Bisons shortstop Otto Lopez followed by a walk to right fielder Cavan Biggio to load the bases. Two batters later, Bison’s center fielder Gregory Polanco ended the game with an RBI single to left field, giving the Bisons a 5-4 win.
The winning pitcher went to Buffalo’s Jacob Barnes (1.0 IP, 1 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Damon Jones (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO). It was Jones’s fourth loss of the season.
Game three of the five-game series continues today at 6:05 pm. Both teams will announce their starters later.
