The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (1-0) opened the 2022 season in comeback fashion on a rainy Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park against the Columbus Clippers (0-1).
This was the first time since 2019 that these two teams played each other. The Clippers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.
Lehigh Valley started James Marvel, who signed with the Phillies in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Columbus sent Kirk McCarty to the mound.
The new-look IronPigs have some players from last year’s team while welcoming new ones that were in Reading last year.
Marvel took to the mound a little shaky to start the top of the first inning. He walked Alex Call to start the game. Next up, Daniel Schneemann grounded into a forceout for the first out.
Then, the Clippers’ second baseman Jose Fermin singled out towards second base. IronPigs second baseman Ali Castillo missed the grab, and the ball got away from him, allowing Fermin and Call to reach first and second base. Marvel settled down and got the next two outs. Marvel pitched three innings, allowing two hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.
The action picked up at the top of the fifth inning. The rain was coming down hard on the turf. Jakob Hernandez was now pitching for the IronPigs.
With a runner on second base, Columbus second baseman Jose Fermin crushed a two-run home run out towards left field that put the Clippers up 2-0. Then, third baseman David Fry hit a solo home run out towards left field for a 3-0 lead.
The IronPigs’ offense could not score through seven innings, leaving 17 runners in scoring position. Then, in the bottom of the eighth inning, the IronPigs erupted.
The bases were loaded for IronPigs designated hitter Justin Williams. Williams grounded into a double play, scoring a run that cut the Clipper’s lead to 3-1. Two batters later, IronPigs shortstop Drew Maggi hit an infield single to second base, scoring another run, and the IronPigs were within one 3-2.
Then, IronPigs second baseman Ali Castillo hit a double out towards right field, scoring two more runs. During the play, Castillo was gunning for third base, Clippers’ third baseman David Fry missed the ball that went into the IronPigs dugout, and Castillo was waved home for a 5-3 lead.
Next up was Lehigh Valley IronPigs third baseman Will Toffey. Toffey hit a fly ball out towards left field. Four Clippers players were chasing the ball while it was in the air. No one called for the ball, and the three collided with each other, allowing another run to score. The IronPigs lead was now 6-3.
Finally, after an injury delay, IronPigs catcher Donny Sands singled on a line drive to left field, scoring Toffey, making it 7-3 IronPigs.
At the top of the ninth inning, Nick Duron closed out the game for the IronPigs. With runners on first and second and two outs, Duron struck out Ike Freeman, ending the game. The IronPigs defeated the Columbus Clippers 7-3. It is their second straight season opener win.
The winning pitcher was Tyler Cyr (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO), while Aaron Pinto (0.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER) suffered the loss.
Game two of the six-game series is today at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased courtesy of our friends StubHub.
