The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (53-71) began its final week of the regular season Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park against the Worcester Red Sox (70-54).
Colton Eastman (1-1, 4.40 ERA) started for Lehigh Valley against Worcester’s Raynel Espinal (11-4, 3.55 ERA).
Colton Eastman was pitching a gem of a no-hitter while on the mound to keep the game scoreless through six innings. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the IronPigs broke a scoreless tie when Mickey Moniak crushed a solo home run out towards right field for a 1-0 lead. It was his fifteenth home run of the season, and his 64th runner batted in.
At the top of the seventh inning, Red Sox’s catcher Ronaldo Hernandez ended Eastman’s no-hit bid with a single to center field. After giving up another single to Red Sox’s shortstop Jeter Downs, Eastman was pulled for Jeff Singer. Colton Eastman threw 92 pitches (6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO).
At the top of the eighth inning, with Red Sox’s players on second and third base, first baseman Triston Casas’s sacrifice fly to right field tied the game 1-1. Jeff Singer was then replaced by Mike Adams shortly after.
At the top of the ninth inning, with Red Sox’s runners on second and third base, right field Johan Mieses’s fielder’s choice put the Red Sox in the lead 2-1. IronPigs third baseman Nick Maton’s throw did not reach home plate in time.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Stephen Gonsalves pitched for the Red Sox. IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall doubled to right field, followed by a single from left fielder Simon Muzziotti with no outs. Then, C.J. Chatman pinch-hit for Nick Maton, and he struck out. After IronPigs right fielder Adam Haseley walked to load the bases, Luke Williams had a chance to end the game, and he struck out, leaving Mickey Moniak to try and win the game.
Mickey Moniak battled Gonsalves with several balls that almost went fair. Finally, Moniak grounded out to Red Sox second baseman Jonathan Arauz to end the game. The IronPigs lose 2-1 and now are on a five-game losing streak.
The win went to Red Sox pitcher Geoff Hartlieb (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Mike Adams (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO). Red Sox pitcher Stephen Gonsalves (1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the save.
Game two of the five-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. Jack Perkins (0-2, 4.50 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley against Worcester’s Kutter Crawford (3-4, 5.04 ERA).
