On Sunday, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (17-13) wrapped up a twelve-game road trip at NBT Bank Stadium against the Syracuse Mets (10-19). The IronPigs already won the series against Syracuse and were looking to close it out with another win.
Colton Eastman (0-1, 3.20 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley. It was his sixth start of the season, while the Mets started David Peterson (0-1, 13.50 ERA).
The Mets struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Mets’ first baseman Patrick Mazeika was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He doubled on a fly ball to right field. IronPigs’ right fielder John Andreoli tried to make a sliding catch, but the ball hit the ground and a run scored, putting the Mets up 1-0.
The IronPigs’ offense struggled to get runners in scoring position. The top of the fourth inning was the IronPigs’ best chance to tie the game, but Peterson was mowing down the batters.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Mets added another run. Mets’ catcher Nic Dini was up at-bat when he hit a solo home run over the Mets’ bullpen at left field for a 2-0 lead.
IronPigs’ starter Colton Eastman was done after four innings, allowing four hits, two runs, four walks, and one strikeout. Jakob Hernandez replaced Eastman.
The Mets added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mets’ third baseman Mark Vientos was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He hit an opposite two-run home run out to right field, making it 4-0 Mets. Two batters later, Mets’ catcher Nic Dini hit his second home run of the game over the Mets bullpen in left field for a 5-0 lead.
At the top of the seventh inning, the IronPigs got back into the ball game. IronPigs’ catcher Austin Wynns was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a three-run home run out to left field, cutting the Mets’ lead 5-3. It was Wynns’ third hit of the afternoon.
However, that was as close as the IronPigs got to the Mets. The Mets made sure the IronPigs couldn’t catch them in the bottom of the seventh inning. The IronPigs’ changed pitchers with Aaron Barrett in for Dillon Maples.
Mets’ center fielder Khalil Lee was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He doubled on a line drive to right field, scoring a run for a 6-3 lead. The IronPigs quickly made another pitching change with Braeden Ogle in for Aaron Barrett. It didn’t help.
Mets’ third baseman Mark Vientos was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring two more runs, and the Mets blew the game open 8-3. Two batters later, Mets’ catcher Nic Dini singled on a line drive to center field, adding another run 9-3. It was Dini’s third RBI of the game.
Mets’ right fielder Quinn Brodey was up next to bat. He singled on a line drive to left field, adding another run for the Mets, 10-3. Two batters later, Mets’ second baseman Travis Blankenhorn singled to left field, scoring another run for an 11-3 lead. By the time the inning was over, the Mets had eight hits in the inning.
The IronPigs scored their last run at the top of the eighth inning. IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run for an 11-4 Mets lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Colin Holderman closed out the game for the Mets. He gave up a hit to IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall but got the last three outs to end the game. The Mets beat the IronPigs 11-4, ending the IronPigs three-game winning streak. However, the IronPigs take the series four games to two.
The win went to Mets’ starter David Peterson, who pitched a good game, going five innings, allowing four hits, no runs, three walks, and eight strikeouts. The loss went to IronPigs’ starter Colton Eastman, his second of the season.
The IronPigs return home to Coca-Cola Park to begin a six-game homestand against the Buffalo Bisons starting Tuesday at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
