On Thursday, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (15-12) returned to NBT Bank Stadium to start a new winning streak against the Syracuse Mets (9-17) after Syracuse snapped their five-game winning streak on Wednesday.
Michael Mariot (1-0, 5.66 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Mets started Connor Grey (1-0, 5.82 ERA).
The IronPigs did not waste time scoring at the top of the first inning. IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He hit a two-run home run, hitting the foul pole at right field that put Lehigh Valley up 2-0.
At the top of the third inning, the IronPigs added another run. IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat with the bases loaded and one out. The Mets were trying to get Maton to hit into a double play. Instead, Maton hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, bringing home another run for the IronPigs 3-0.
The IronPigs’ defense had a slight hiccup in the bottom of the third inning. Mets’ left fielder Quinn Brody hit the ball out to right field. IronPigs’ right fielder John Andreoli tried to make a sliding catch, but the ball got by him and went to the wall, allowing Brody to reach third base.
Andreoli needed to let the ball hit the ground in that situation, and it would’ve been a single. He would later correct that in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Mets’ capitalized two batters later when shortstop Wyatt Young grounded out to shortstop Nick Maton, but not before scoring Brody, cutting the IronPigs’ lead 3-1. This was as close as the Mets got to the IronPigs for the rest of the game.
The IronPigs got the run back at the top of the fourth inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Bryson Stott was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He broke his bat on a smashing single to right field, scoring a run for the IronPigs 4-1.
Then, IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands singled on a ground ball to shortstop Wyatt Young. The ball went in and out of the glove of Young, allowing all IronPigs runners to be safe, and added another run 5-1.
That would be it for Mets’ starter Connor Grey, who was replaced by Andrew Mitchell. Next, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat. He doubled out the center field. The ball flew over the Mets’ centerfielder Khalil Lee’s head, and another run scored, making it 6-1 for the IronPigs. It was Hall’s 32nd RBI of the year and tenth double of the season.
The IronPigs added two more runs at the top of the sixth inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Bryson Stott was up at-bat with a runner on first base and hit a two-run home run over the IronPigs’ bullpen at right field for an 8-1 lead. The IronPigs were threatening to score another run with two outs. However, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton hit the ball that was caught by Mets’ third baseman Cody Bohanek who made a nice diving catch for the third out.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Mets scored another run. Mets’ designated hitter Daniel Palka hit a solo home run out to left field, making it 8-2 IronPigs. That would be it for IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot. He pitched a good game, going six innings, allowing six hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts.
Moving ahead to the top of the eighth inning, the IronPigs added more runs. IronPigs’ designated hitter Yairo Munoz was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He hit a soft ground ball to third baseman Cody Bohanek, who couldn’t reach the ball in time and Munoz was safe at first, while Stott scored for a 9-2 lead.
Then, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton hit an RBI double to center field, scoring Munoz for a 10-2 lead. After a wild pitch moved Nick Maton to third base, IronPigs center fielder Dustin Peterson hit a two-run home run out to right field for a 12-2 lead.
Three batters later, with the bases loaded, IronPigs’ right fielder John Andreoli walked, and another run scored, making it 13-3.
Finally, the IronPigs added one more run at the top of the ninth inning. IronPigs’ designated hitter Yairo Munoz was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He hit an RBI single to left field, scoring the game’s last run, 14-2.
Dillon Maples closed out the game for the IronPigs. He got the last three outs of the game, and IronPigs won 14-2.
The win went to IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot. It was his second win of the season. The loss went to Mets’ starter Connor Grey (3.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 3 SO).
Game three of the six-game series continues today at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
