The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (18-15) were back at Coca-Cola Park for game three against the Buffalo Bisons (18-15). The Bisons have won the first two games in this series.
Corey Oswalt (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs. He was making his debut after being acquired from the Giants on May 8th.
Oswalt is from San Diego, California, and was drafted by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Oswalt was with the Sacramento River Cats this year with a 1-2 record and a 7.11 ERA. The Bisons started Nick Allgeyer (2-1, 6.52 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, the IronPigs took the lead. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a three-run home run over the right field fence, putting the IronPigs up, 3-0. It was Hall’s eleventh home run and 36th RBI of the year.
At the top of the third inning, the IronPigs made a questionable pitching change with Cristopher Sanchez in for Corey Oswalt. Oswalt did a great job pitching two innings, with no hits, no runs, one walk, and one strikeout. Sanchez had gotten back from Philadelphia, and the IronPigs should’ve saved him for the next start. Sanchez did not get off to a good start.
Bisons’ shortstop Eric Stamets was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He doubled on a sharp line drive to left field, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs lead 3-1. Bisons’ center fielder Nathan Lukes was up at-bat.
During Lukes’ at-bat, Logan Warmoth tried to steal third base but was gunned down by IronPigs’ catcher Austin Wynns for the first out. Then, Lukes doubled on a ground ball to left field, adding another run for the Bisons, and it was now 3-2 IronPigs. Sanchez got the last two outs to end the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs got the two runs back. IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton hit a two-run single on a line drive to center field, making it 5-3 IronPigs.
Finally, the IronPigs added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning. IronPigs’ catcher Austin Wynns was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He singled out to left field, scoring a run for a 6-3 lead.
The IronPigs’ bullpen took care of the rest. They shut down the Bisons’ offense for the last six innings of the game. At the top of the ninth inning, Braeden Ogle closed out the game for the IronPigs. He made quick work to get the last three outs, and the IronPigs won the game 6-3. It was their first win against Buffalo in this series.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 SO), while the loss went to Bisons’ starter Nick Allgeyer (4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 SO).
Game four of the six-game series continues tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
