The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (3-3) concluded the six-game series against the Columbus Clippers (3-3), losing 12-1 at Coca-Cola Park Sunday afternoon.
On the mound for the IronPigs was James Marvel (0-0, 0.00 ERA), while the Clippers started Kirk McCarty (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
The game got off to a good start for the IronPigs in the bottom of the first inning. Lehigh Valley catcher Donny Sands hit a solo home run over the Cedar Crest College sign at right field, putting the IronPigs up 1-0.
After a scoreless second inning, the action picked up at the top of the third inning. The Clippers had runners on the corners for the third baseman Jose Fermin. He grounded into a forceout, scoring a run that tied the game 1-1.
Then, with the bases loaded, the Clippers’ left fielder Josh Naylor singled on a ground ball to right field, scoring two more runs for a 3-1 lead. Next up at-bat was Columbus’s right fielder Oscar Gonzalez. He hit a two-run home run out towards right field, extending the Clippers’ lead 5-1.
Moving ahead to the top of the fourth inning, the Clippers had runners on first and second base with two outs for shortstop Gabriel Arias. Arias hit an RBI single on a line drive to left field, scoring another run for the Clippers 6-1.
This would be it for IronPigs starter James Marvel, who left the game pitching 3.2 IP, giving up nine hits, six runs, two walks, and no strikeouts. Jonathan Hennigan replaced Marvel.
The Clippers continued to do damage at the top of the sixth inning, with a runner on third base for second baseman Mitchell Tolman. Tolman doubled on a fly ball to left field, scoring another run for a 7-1 lead.
After Hennigan walked Clippers’ catcher Mike Rivera, Jake Newberry replaced him. Then, Clippers’ third baseman Jose Fermin hit a ground-rule double on a fly ball to right-center field, adding another run 8-1.
Columbus center fielder Richie Palacios was next up at-bat. He doubled on a line drive to right field, scoring two more runs for a 10-1 lead. Two batters later, Clippers’ left fielder Josh Naylor singled on a sharp line drive to center field, adding another run 11-1. By the time the inning was over, the Clippers had sent eleven players to the plate.
Moving ahead to the top of the eighth inning, the Clippers’ scored one more run. Columbus second baseman Mitchell Tolman hit a solo home run out towards right-center field for a 12-1 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Ben Krauth closed out the game for the Clippers. He gave up a double to IronPigs’ second baseman Nick Maton with one out. Nevertheless, he got the last two outs that ended the game. The Clippers routed the IronPigs 12-1.
The winning pitcher was Clippers relief pitcher Robert Broom (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, and 1 SO), and the loss went to IronPigs starter James Marvel.
The IronPigs start a six-game series on the road against the Worcester Red Sox on Tuesday at 3:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
