The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (9-9) closed out their six-game homestand at Coca-Cola Park against the Rochester Red Wings (9-9).
On the mound for Lehigh Valley was Colton Eastman (0-1, 3.86 ERA), while the Red Wings started Cade Cavalli (0-1, 9.00 ERA).
The action picked up at the top of the second inning. IronPigs starter Colton Eastman walked designated hitter Donovan Casey. Then, Casey stole second and third base, followed by a wild pitch by Eastman that allowed Casey to score, putting Rochester up 1-0.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the third inning with runners on first and second base, IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands hit a two-run double on a line drive to center field, putting Lehigh Valley up 2-1. Sands left the game afterward for unknown reasons. Austin Wynns replaced Sands at catcher.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mark Appel replaced Colton Eastman. Eastman went 3.2 innings, allowing three hits, one run, five walks, and four strikeouts.
At the bottom of the fifth inning, IronPigs’ catcher Austin Wynns walked with the bases loaded, extending Lehigh Valley’s lead 3-1. Then, with the bases still loaded, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall grounded out Red Wings’ shortstop Adrian Sanchez, who threw to first base for the second out but not before adding another run 4-1.
The IronPigs blew the game open in the bottom of the eighth inning. IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey drew a walk with the bases loaded, making it 5-1 Lehigh Valley. Then, IronPigs’ center fielder John Andreoli hit a two-run single to center field for a 7-1 lead.
Two batters later, IronPigs’ catcher Austin Wynns cleared the bases with a three-run single on a line drive to right field for a 10-1 lead. Wynns tried to reach second base, but Red Wings’ right fielder Nick Banks threw out Wynns.
IronPigs’ closer Nick Duron came in at the top of the ninth inning. He got the last three outs, and the IronPigs beat the Red Wings 10-1. They take the series four games to two.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Mark Appel (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO), while the loss went to Red Wings’ starter Cade Cavalli (4.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 SO).
The IronPigs hit the road for a six-game series at PNC Field against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders starting Tuesday at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
