On Friday, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (11-11) were back at PNC Field for a doubleheader against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (9-12). The first game was a regular game, and game two was a makeup game from Tuesday.
Michael Mariot (0-0, 5.74 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the RailRiders started Luis Gil (0-2, 14.63 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the IronPigs jumped out to a 2-0 lead. First, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall hit a solo home run out to right field for a 1-0 lead, followed by right fielder Dustin Peterson’s solo home run out to right field for a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first inning, the RailRiders battled back. RailRiders’ first baseman Ronald Guzman hit a sacrifice fly out to center field with runners on first and third base, scoring a run that made it 2-1 IronPigs. Then, RailRiders’ third baseman Phillip Evans hit a two-run home run out to right field, putting the RailRiders up 3-2.
At the top of the third inning, IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a line drive to right field, tying the game 3-3.
Moving ahead to the top of the fifth inning, the IronPigs started to pull away. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson doubled on a line drive to center field with runners on second and third base, scoring both runs, giving the IronPigs a 5-3 lead.
Then, four batters later, with runners on second and third base, RailRiders pitcher Jose Mujica threw a wild pitch, scoring another run for a 7-3 IronPigs lead.
At the top of the sixth inning, IronPigs’ shortstop Bryson Stott hit a solo home run out to right field for a 7-3 IronPigs lead. Then, with a runner on first base, IronPigs first baseman Darick Hall hit his second home run, hitting the rail house roof at right-center field for a 9-3 lead.
The IronPigs added two more runs at the top of the seventh inning. First, IronPigs’ shortstop Bryson Stott was up at-bat with a runner on first base. Then, he hit a triple on a line drive to right field, scoring a run for a 10-3 lead. Finally, IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands singled to left field, scoring a run for an 11-3 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Michael Kelly closed out the game for the IronPigs. He allowed one walk but got the last three outs to end the game, and the IronPigs took game one with an 11-3 win.
The win went to IronPigs starter Michael Mariot (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 SO), while the loss went to RailRiders relief pitcher Braden Bristo (0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SO).
Jeff Singer (1-1, 2.45 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs in game two, while the RailRiders started J.P. Sears (0-0, 3.86 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, with the bases loaded for the RailRiders, IronPigs starter Jeff Singer walked RailRiders’ catcher Max McDowell, giving the RailRiders a 1-0 lead.
At the top of the third inning, the IronPigs took the lead. IronPigs’ left fielder Jorge Bonifacio was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He singled on a sharp line drive to center field, scoring two runs that put Lehigh Valley up 2-1.
Moving ahead to the top of the fifth inning with a runner on first base, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall hit a two-run home run out to right field, extending Lehigh Valley’s lead to 4-1. It was his third home run of the day.
The IronPigs added three more runs at the top of the seventh inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Nick Maton was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a three-run home run out of right field, extending the IronPigs lead 7-1.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Nick Duron closed out the game for the IronPigs. Duron gave up a solo home run that went out to center field by RailRiders’ third baseman Armando Alverez, cutting the IronPigs lead 7-2.
Four batters later, with the bases loaded, RailRiders’ second baseman Oswaldo Cabrera grounded into a double play. A run scored, but the IronPigs got two outs. The score was now 7-3 IronPigs. Finally, Duron got RailRiders’ designated hitter Ronald Guzman to fly out for the third out, and the IronPigs completed the sweep with a 7-3 win.
The win went to IronPigs relief pitcher Joe Gatto (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 SO), while the loss went to RailRiders relief pitcher Shelby Miller (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 SO).
Game five of the six-game series at PNC Field continues today at 4:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
