The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2-0) picked up another win Wednesday night against the Columbus Clippers (0-2) at Coca-Cola Park.
The IronPigs sent Michael Mariot (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound, who was making his debut. Mariot played for the Louisville Bats last season. On the mound for the Clippers was Peyton Battenfield (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
With runners on first and second base in the first inning, Clippers’ first baseman David Fry hit a fielder’s choice as IronPigs shortstop Ronald Torreyes missed the ball that went through the legs, allowing a run to score, and the Clippers were up 1-0.
In the third inning, the IronPigs had the bases loaded for first baseman Darick Hall. Hall singled on a soft line drive to left field, scoring a run that tied the game 1-1.
Then, Clippers’ pitcher Peyton Battenfield threw a wild pitch, allowing another run to score, and the IronPigs were up 2-1. Finally, IronPigs second baseman Yairo Munoz grounded out to third base, allowing another run to score, and the IronPigs lead was now 3-1.
IronPigs pitcher Michael Mariot was done after four innings, allowing two hits, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts. Jeff Singer replaced Mariot to start the top of the fifth inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, the IronPigs had runners on second and third base. Lehigh Valley left fielder Jorge Bonifacio was up at bat and worked a 3-2 count. Clippers’ pitcher Nathan Ocker threw a wild pitch, walking Bonifacio and scoring another run for the IronPigs. Lehigh Valley’s lead was now 4-1.
The IronPigs had runners on the corners for first baseman Darick Hall. Hall grounded into a forceout. Bonifacio was out, but another run came home for a 5-1 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with runners on the corner, IronPigs shortstop Ronald Torreyes grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring the game’s final run for a 6-1 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Joe Gatto closed out the game for the IronPigs. He got the last three outs, and the IronPigs beat the Columbus Clippers 6-1.
The win went to IronPigs relief pitcher Jeff Singer (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO), and the loss went to Clippers starting pitcher Peyton Battenfield (4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO). The IronPigs relief pitchers combined for five innings, no hits, no runs, no earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Game three of the six-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased courtesy of our friends at StubHub.
