The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2-1) were looking to continue their hot start Friday night at Coca-Cola Park against the Columbus Clippers (1-2). Thursday’s game was postponed due to rain.
On the mound for the IronPigs was Colton Eastman (0-0, 0.00 ERA), while the Clippers sent Adam Scott (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound.
The bases were loaded for IronPigs centerfielder Dalton Guthrie at the bottom of the second inning. He singled on a ground ball to center field that scored two runs, putting the IronPigs up 2-0.
IronPigs starter Colton Eastman finished the game going 3.2 IP, allowing one hit, no runs, three walks, and four strikeouts. Jonathan Hennigan replaced Eastman.
Moving ahead to the top of the fifth inning, The Clippers had runners on the corners for left fielder Richie Palacios. He grounds out softly to second base, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs lead 2-1.
At the top of the eighth inning, Michael Kelly was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. The Clippers had a runner on second base when center fielder Daniel Johnson came to the plate. Johnson hit a two-run home run out towards right field that put Columbus on top 3-2.
The IronPigs had the bases loaded for left fielder Drew Maggi in the bottom of the eighth inning. Maggi hit a sacrifice fly out towards right field that scored a run to tie the game 3-3.
At the top of the ninth inning, Nick Duron was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. The Clippers had a runner on second base when shortstop Gabriel Arias came to the plate. Arias doubled on a fly ball towards right field, scoring a run that put the Clippers back up 4-3.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, IronPigs center fielder Dalton Guthrie was on first base, and shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat. Maton doubled on a fly ball to center field. Clippers’ center fielder Daniel Johnson threw the ball in time to get Dalton Guthrie out at home plate.
However, the instant replay showed that Guthrie was not touched at home plate, and the game should’ve been tied. Instead, the IronPigs still trailed the Clippers 4-3.
The IronPigs had runners on first and second base for first baseman Will Toffey. Unfortunately, he struck out, ending the game, and IronPigs suffered their first loss of the season, 4-3 to the Clippers.
The winning pitcher went to Clippers relief pitcher Ian Gibaut (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB). The loss went to IronPigs reliever Nick Duron (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO).
The IronPigs will play a doubleheader today at 4:05 pm. Game two of the doubleheader will start 30 minutes after the first game ends. Tickets for both games can be purchased courtesy of our friends at StubHub.
