After a two-week road trip, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (17-14) returned to Coca-Cola Park to start a six-game homestand against the Buffalo Bisons (17-14). The Bisons are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ricardo Sanchez (0-0, 3.31 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, looking for his first win of the season. Meanwhile, the Bisons started Bowden Francis (1-1, 5.59 ERA).
Unfortunately for Sanchez, he would not make it out of the first inning. Buffalo batted around at the top of the first inning. Former Phillies’ draft pick Cavan Biggio hit a fly ball out to right field that went in and out of the glove of IronPigs’ right fielder, Jorge Bonifacio, and Biggio made it to second base.
Bisons’ catcher Gabriel Moreno was up at-bat with Biggio on second. He singled on a ground ball to second base. A fielding error by IronPigs’ second baseman Drew Maggi allowed a run to score, and Buffalo was up 1-0. Two batters later, Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans singled to right field, adding another run for Buffalo, 2-0.
It kept getting worse. Bisons’ center fielder Otto Lopez was up at-bat with runners on the corners. Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring another run for the Bisons 3-0 with one out. Then, Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring two more runs for a 5-0 lead. Ricardo Sanchez was frustrated. He was throwing the ball down the middle of the plate, and Buffalo was picking him apart.
Three batters later, designated hitter Cavan Biggio was up-bat for the second time of the inning. He singled on a line drive to center field, scoring two more runs for a 7-0 lead. Sanchez was done after that, and Hammonton, New Jersey, native Joe Gatto replaced Sanchez.
This was a disaster, especially for Sanchez. He needs to put this game behind him quickly. Sanchez’s final numbers were 0.1 IP, allowing seven hits, nine runs, one walk, and no strikeouts.
Bisons’ catcher Gabriel Moreno was up at-bat for the second time. He singled on a sharp line drive to right field, adding another run for an 8-0 lead. The Bisons added one more run in the first inning. Bisons’ left fielder Nathan Lukes grounded out softly to Joe Gatto for the second out but not before another run scored 9-0. Gatto got the last out to end the top of the first inning.
The IronPigs got two runs back in the bottom of the first inning. IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He singled to center field, scoring two runs that cut the Bisons’ lead 9-2. IronPigs’ designated hitter Edgar Cabral had a chance to bring home more runs with the bases loaded, but he struck out.
At the top of the second inning, the Bisons added another run. Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He doubled on a sharp line drive to third base, scoring a run for a 10-2 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, the IronPigs scored their final run of the game. IronPigs’ designated hitter Edgar Cabral was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He singled on a fly ball to right field, bringing home a run. The score was now 10-3 Bisons.
The Bisons scored two more runs at the top of the sixth inning. Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He singled on a sharp ground ball to right field, adding two more runs for a 12-3 lead.
Finally, the Bisons added two more runs at the top of the ninth inning. Bisons’ second baseman Samad Taylor was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He grounded out to IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton and got a runner out at second base, but not before a run scored 13-3. Two batters later, Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth grounded into a forceout, scoring a run for a 14-3 lead with two outs.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Bisons’ Kyle Johnston closed out the game for Buffalo. He gave up a single to IronPigs’ second baseman Drew Maggi but got the last three outs, and the Bisons won the game 14-3.
The IronPigs as a whole need to put this game behind them. They did not show up tonight, and Buffalo sent a statement. If the IronPigs are going to be contenders for the East division, they need to be able to beat teams like Buffalo.
The win went to Bisons’ starter Bowden Francis (5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 3 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ starter, Ricardo Sanchez.
Game two of the six-game series continues tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
