On Thursday night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7-8) had their three-game winning streak snapped at Coca-Cola Park against the Rochester Red Wings (8-7).
Ricardo Sanchez was on the mound for Lehigh Valley (0-0, 3.38 ERA), while the Red Wings started Jefry Rodriguez (0-1, 10.80 ERA).
The Red Wings jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the top of the first inning on a solo home run to left field by first baseman Joey Meneses.
Moving ahead to the top of the third inning with a runner on first base, Red Wings’ first baseman Joey Meneses hit his second home run again out to left field for a 3-0 lead.
Two batters later, Red Wings’ right fielder Nick Banks hit a solo home run out to right field, extending Rochester’s lead 4-0.
Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, the game took an interesting turn for Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs had not registered a hit, but they scored three runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Red Wings’ starter Jefry Rodriguez walked IronPigs’ second baseman Drew Maggi, walking in a run. The IronPigs trailed the Red Wings 4-1.
Then, Red Wings’ catcher Tres Barrera tried to catch a wild pitch, but the ball got away from him, allowing another run to score for the IronPigs. Suddenly, it was now a two-run game, 4-2. After that pitch, the Red Wings changed pitchers, with Erik Manoah Jr. replacing Rodriguez.
However, Manoah’s ball got away from Barrera and another run scored for Lehigh Valley, making it a one-run game 4-3. The Red Wings escaped the inning after getting IronPigs’ center fielder Odubel Herrera to fly out for the third out.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs finally got their first hit of the game. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall doubled out to right field. The ball hit the yellow line. A few inches higher, and it would’ve been a home run.
Two batters later, with runners on first and second base, IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Peterson doubled on a sharp fly ball out to left field, scoring two runs as Lehigh Valley took a 5-4 lead. Dustin Peterson was acquired by the Phillies on Tuesday from the Milwaukee Brewers for cash consideration.
Then, at the top of the eighth inning, the Red Wings tied the game 5-5 on a solo home run out to center field by left fielder Donovan Casey.
The Red Wings would take the lead for good at the top of the ninth inning. With a runner on second base, Red Wings’ shortstop Luis Garcia singled on a ground ball to right field, scoring a run for a 6-5 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Red Wings’ pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. closed out the game. He got all three outs, and the Red Wings beat the IronPigs 6-5.
Lehigh Valley starter Ricardo Sanchez went four innings, allowing seven hits, four runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
The win went to Red Wings’ relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Braeden Ogle (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SO).
Game four of the six-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
