On Saturday night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (8-9) played game five at Coca-Cola Park against the Rochester Red Wings (9-8).
On the mound for Lehigh Valley was Mike Mariot (0-0, 4.91 ERA), while the Red Wings started Logan Verrett (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
The IronPigs struck first in the bottom of the first inning. With a runner on first base, IronPigs catcher Donny Sands singled on a line drive to center field, scoring a run that made it 1-0. A throwing error by Red Wings’ center fielder Donovan Casey allowed Sands to move up to second base. Then, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall hit a two-run home run out to right field, extending Lehigh Valley’s lead 3-0.
After two scoreless innings, the Red Wings got on the scoreboard at the top of the fourth inning. With a runner on first base, Red Wings’ designated hitter Joey Meneses doubled to right field, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs lead 3-1. However, the IronPigs got the run back in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With runners on first and second base, IronPigs’ second baseman Ronald Torreyes reached first base on a fielder’s choice, scoring a run for a 4-1 lead. Three batters later, IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall doubled to right field, scoring two more runs for a 6-1 lead.
Two batters later, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton singled on a soft line drive to right field, scoring two runs and the IronPigs blew the game open 8-1.
However, at the top of the fifth inning, the Red Wings started to chip away at the IronPigs lead. With runners on first and second base, Red Wings’ first baseman Jack Noll doubled on a sharp fly ball to left field, scoring a run that made it an 8-2 game.
After IronPigs starter Michael Mariot walked Red Wings’ right fielder, Josh Palacios, which loaded the bases, he was replaced by Dillon Maples. Mariot was responsible for the runners on base. He finished the game pitching 4.2 innings, allowing five hits, four runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Then, Red Wings’ designated hitter Joey Meneses singled on a line drive to center field, scoring two runs, cutting the IronPigs lead in half 8-4.
Moving ahead to the top of the sixth inning with a runner on first base, Red Wings’ catcher Chris Herrmann singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run that made it a three-run game, 8-5.
At the top of the eighth inning, Aaron Barrett was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. However, he did not pitch long. After loading the bases, Barrett was replaced by Zach Warren. With the bases loaded, Red Wings’ catcher Chris Herrmann grounded out to first base, scoring a run in the process and the IronPigs lead was down to two, 8-6.
Nevertheless, the IronPigs had a weapon ready to fire. With a runner on second base, IronPigs’ Darick Hall crushed a two-run home run, nearly hitting the Cyan Sky Copier sign out in right field, giving the IronPigs a 10-6 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Braeden Ogle closed out the game for the IronPigs. With runners on first and second base with one out, Red Wings’ designated hitter Joey Meneses singled on a sharp line drive to center field, scoring a run that made it 10-7 IronPigs. It was Meneses’s fourth RBI of the game. Then, Red Wings’ third baseman Richard Urena singled on a line drive to center field, adding another run that made it 10-8.
Braeden Ogle was able to get the last two outs that ended the game, and the IronPigs won 10-8. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall finished the night 3-5 with a double, two home runs, and six RBIs.
The win went to IronPigs relief pitcher Dillon Maples (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 SO), while the loss went to Red Wings starter Logan Verrett (2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SO).
The IronPigs wrap up the six-game homestand against the Red Wings today at 1:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
