The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (5-7) wrapped up a six-game road trip Sunday afternoon against the Worcester Red Sox (9-3) from Polar Park. The IronPigs were looking for payback after losing 13-1 Saturday night.
On the mound for Lehigh Valley was Michael Mariot (0-0, 1.29 ERA), while the Red Sox started Josh Taylor (1-0, 3.40 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the IronPigs took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run out to left field by Romain Quinn. Then, at the top of the second inning, with a runner on second base, IronPigs left fielder Jorge Bonifacio hit a two-run home run out to right-center field for a 3-0 lead.
The IronPigs lead did not last long. The Red Sox had the bases loaded for right fielder Franchy Cordero in the bottom of the fourth inning. He singled on a line drive to center field, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs lead 3-1. Then, with the bases still loaded, Red Sox left fielder Chris Stewart hit a grand slam out to right field, putting Worcester up 5-3.
Before the bottom of the fifth inning began, the IronPigs replaced Michael Mariot with Kyle Dohy. Mariot pitched four innings, allowing four hits, five runs, one walk, and six strikeouts. The Red Sox had the bases loaded for right fielder Franchy Cordero. He almost hit a home run, but the ball fell just in front of the wall. Three runs scored, and the Red Sox lead was 8-3. It was Cordero’s fourth RBI of the game.
When it looked like the IronPigs were going to repeat yesterday’s games, they stormed back. At the top of the sixth inning, with runners on first and second base, IronPigs third baseman Yairo Munoz singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring a run that cut Worcester’s lead 8-4.
Then, IronPigs right fielder John Andreoli doubled to center field, scoring a run that made it a three-run game, 8-5. Next up, at-bat was left fielder Jorge Bonifacio. He doubled on a line drive to left field, scoring two runs that made it a one-run game 8-7.
After Bonifacio’s hit, the Red Sox changed pitchers with Derek Holland in for Thomas Pannone. Two batters later, IronPigs second baseman Ronald Torreyes singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring a run that tied the game 8-8.
Then, with the bases loaded again for the IronPigs, catcher Donny Sands drew a walk, putting Lehigh Valley in the lead 9-8. After the walk, the Red Sox changed pitchers, going with John Schreiber for Derek Holland.
Up next to bat was IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall. He doubled on a line drive to left field, clearing the bases that extended Lehigh Valley’s lead 12-8. Once the inning was over, the IronPigs scored nine runs. However, they were not done.
At the top of the seventh inning, with runners on first and second base, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton’s ball was dropped by Red Sox right fielder Rob Refsnyder, scoring two more runs for a 14-8 lead.
Moving to the top of the eighth inning with runners on first and second base, IronPigs right fielder John Andreoli doubled to left field, scoring another run for a 15-8 lead. Then, IronPigs left fielder Jorge Bonifacio singled on a soft ground ball to first base, scoring a run for a 16-8 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, with runners on first and second base, IronPigs third baseman Yairo Munoz singled to right field, extending the lead 17-8. Then, IronPigs left fielder Jorge Bonifacio walked with the bases load, and the score was 18-8. Finally, IronPigs designated hitter Edgar Cabral singled to center field, adding another run 19-8.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Tyler Cyr was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. With a runner on second base and one out, Red Sox designated hitter Jarren Duran singled on a line drive to center, making it 19-9. Two batters later, Red Sox’s first baseman Triston Casas singled on a line drive to left field, adding another run for a 19-10 IronPigs lead.
It looked like the Red Sox were staging a comeback. With runners on first and second base, Red Sox right fielder Rob Refsnyder singled on a ground ball to right field, scoring another run and the IronPigs lead was 19-11. However, IronPigs pitcher Tyler Cyr got the last two outs that ended the game. The IronPigs beat the Red Sox 19-11.
The win went to IronPigs relief pitcher Joe Gatto (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO), and the loss went to Red Sox relief pitcher Derek Holland (0.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 0 SO).
The IronPigs return to Coca-Cola Park to start a six-game series with the Rochester Red Wings starting Tuesday at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
