The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (4-7) were looking to get back in the winning column Saturday afternoon at Polar Park against the Worcester Red Sox (9-2).
On the mound for Lehigh Valley was James Marvel (0-1, 8.10 ERA) against Darwinzon Hernandez (0-0, 3.18 ERA) of Worcester.
The hopes of beating the Red Sox were quickly dashed in the bottom of the first inning when the Red Sox jumped out to a 5-0 lead. With runners on first and second base, Red Sox’s first baseman Triston Cases singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run that made it 1-0.
Four batters later, Red Sox designated hitter Roberto Ramos singled on a ground ball to shortstop Yairo Munoz. Munoz overthrew first baseman Darick Hall, and another run scored for a 2-0 Red Sox lead.
Then, a wild pitch by IronPigs starter James Marvel brought home another run for a 3-0 lead. Finally, Red Sox second baseman Yolmer Sanchez singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring two more runs for a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, with a runner on first base, Red Sox center fielder Rob Refsnyder hit a two-run home run out to left field, making it 7-0 Worcester.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the third inning with a runner on first base, Red Sox designated hitter Roberto Ramos crushed a two-run home run out to left-center, making it 9-0. The Red Sox were having batting practice.
At the top of the sixth inning, the IronPigs finally scored. With the bases loaded, Red Sox pitcher Kyle Hart threw a pitch that catcher Connor Wong could not catch. The ball got away from Wong, scoring a run that cut the Red Sox lead to 9-1.
The Red Sox would get that run back plus another in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners on first and base, Red Sox right fielder Franchy Cordero doubled on a line drive to center field, scoring two runs for an 11-1 lead.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on first and second base, Red Sox new designated hitter Deivy Grullon doubled on a line drive to left field, scoring two more runs for a 13-1 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Red Sox pitcher Geoff Hartlieb closed out the game. He gave up a single to IronPigs third baseman Drew Maggi with one out. Then, he struck out the last two batters, and the Red Sox beat the IronPigs 13-1. The Red Sox had 15 hits, while the IronPigs had only four hits in the game.
The winning pitcher was Red Sox relief pitcher Kyle Hart (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs starter James Marvel (3.0 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 1 BB, 2 SO).
The IronPigs wrap up the six-game road trip tomorrow at 4:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
