On Saturday night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (17-12) won their third game in a row at NBT Bank Stadium against the Syracuse Mets (9-19).
Hammonton, New Jersey, native Joe Gatto (0-0, 4.35 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Mets started Mike Montgomery (0-3, 5.31 ERA). Originally, Cristopher Sanchez was supposed to start for the IronPigs, but the Phillies called him up.
At the top of the first inning, the IronPigs lost a player. IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He singled on a ground ball to pitcher Mike Montgomery, getting Maton out at second base. Once Sands was on first base, the IronPigs’ training staff was called over. Sands stayed in the game until the inning was over. At the start of the second inning, Austin Wynns became the new catcher.
It was a pitcher’s duel in the first two innings before the action picked up at the top of the third inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Drew Maggi was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a fly ball to center field, scoring a run that put the IronPigs in the lead 1-0.
Then, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton hit an RBI single to right field, adding another run for the IronPigs, 2-0. A throwing error by Mets’ right fielder Khalil Lee allowed Maton to reach second base.
Two batters later, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall doubled on a fly ball to center field, hitting the Bud Light sign that scored another run for the IronPigs, 3-0. It was Hall’s 33rd RBI and eleventh double of the season.
Finally, IronPigs’ designated hitter Dustin Peterson tripled on a fly ball to left field, scoring Hall for a 4-0 IronPigs lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, the IronPigs made a pitching change with Jeff Singer in for Joe Gatto. Gatto pitched two innings with no hits, no runs, two walks, and four strikeouts. Mets’ third baseman Cody Bohanek was up at-bat. He hit a solo home run, hitting the 315-bullpen roof at left field that cut the IronPigs lead 4-1. After that, Singer got the three outs.
The pitching duel continued for the rest of the game. Neither offense could get runners in scoring position. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Connor Brogdon closed out the game for the IronPigs. He got the last three outs, and the IronPigs won their third straight game 4-1.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Jonathan Hennigan (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO), while the loss went to Mets’ starter Mike Montgomery (5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 SO).
The IronPigs close out the six-game series against the Mets today at 1:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
