After being rained out Saturday night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (19-17) played a doubleheader at Coca-Cola Park against the Buffalo Bisons (20-16) to close out the six-game series. Colton Eastman (0-2, 3.42 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs in game one, while the Bisons started Thomas Hatch (1-2, 7.61 ERA).
IronPigs’ starter Colton Eastman pitched two scoreless innings until the Bisons struck first at the top of the third inning. Bisons’ second baseman Samad Taylor was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a line drive to right field, scoring a run that put Buffalo up 1-0. Two batters later, Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a ground-rule double to left field, scoring two more runs that made it 3-0.
Bisons’ right fielder Cullen Large was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He singled out to right field, adding two more runs for a 5-0 lead.
The IronPigs cut the Bisons’ lead to two in the bottom of the third inning. IronPigs’ center fielder Matt Vierling was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled out to right field just over the glove of Samad Taylor, bringing home a run, 5-1.
Three batters later, IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He singled on a line drive to right field, scoring two more runs that made it a two-run deficit, 5-3.
IronPigs’ starter Colton Eastman was replaced at the top of the fourth inning by Dillon Maples. Eastman finished the game pitching three innings, allowing four hits, five runs, four walks, and seven strikeouts. Maples made quick work to keep the game, 5-3.
At the top of the fifth inning, Joe Gatto was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. Meanwhile, the Bisons started to pull away. Bisons’ catcher Kellin Deglan was up at-bat with the bases loaded and no outs. The IronPigs wanted to trade a run for two outs.
However, Deglan grounded to second baseman Drew Maggi, scoring a run, but the IronPigs got one out as Deglan was safe at first base, and the score was now 6-3. Then, Joe Gatto threw a wild pitch that scored another run for Buffalo, and it was 7-3.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, native Mike Adams was the new IronPigs’ pitcher.
Bisons’ designated hitter Joshua Fuentes was up at-bat with a runner on second base and two outs. He hit an RBI single to left field, adding another run for Buffalo, 8-3. Then, Bisons’ third baseman Eric Stamets hit a two-run home run out to left field for a 10-5 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring a run that made it 10-4. Finally, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton hit a sacrifice fly to center field, adding another run, 10-5. Bisons’ closer Adrian Hernandez got the last out, and the IronPigs lost game one 10-5.
The win went to Bisons’ starter Thomas Hatch (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ starter, Colton Eastman.
Ricardo Sanchez (0-1, 7.56 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs in game two, while the Bisons started Bowden Francis (2-1, 5.47 ERA).
The Bisons almost got the lead at the top of the first inning. Bisons’ left fielder Samad Taylor was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He singled on a sharp ground ball to left field. IronPigs’ left fielder Jorge Bonifacio got the ball and made a beautiful throw to catcher Austin Wynns, who tagged Cavin Biggio for the third out.
At the top of the second inning, the Bisons picked up where they left off. Bisons’ second baseman Logan Warmoth was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a sharp ground ball to left field, scoring a run for a 1-0 lead.
Then, in the bottom of the second inning, the IronPigs got lucky. IronPigs’ catcher Austin Wynns was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He hit a grand slam out to left field. Bisons’ manager Casey Candaele immediately came out to argue the call. The replay showed that Wynns’ ball indeed went foul, and the umpires stood by their decision. Candaele continued to argue until he was ejected from the game and the IronPigs led 4-1.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the third inning, the IronPigs added another run. IronPigs’ second baseman Yairo Munoz hit a solo home run out to left field for a 5-1 lead. Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, the IronPigs added two more runs.
IronPigs’ designated hitter Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a sharp line drive to right field, scoring a run that made it 6-1 IronPigs. Then, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Peterson for a 7-1 lead.
At the top of the fifth inning, the Bisons started to make a comeback. Bisons’ left fielder Otto Lopez was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He grounded out to IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton for the second out, while a run scored, and it was now 7-2 IronPigs.
Bisons’ second baseman Logan Warmoth was up at-bat. He doubled on a fly ball to left field, adding another run, 7-3. The Bisons made it a three-run game at the top of the sixth inning. Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a soft line drive, adding another run, 7-4.
The Bisons made it uncomfortable for the IronPigs at the top of the seventh inning. Before the inning starter, Mark Appel closed out the game for Lehigh Valley. Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He singled on a ground ball to left field, scoring a run that made it a two-run game, 7-5.
Bisons’ catcher Gabriel Moreno was up at-bat with the bases loaded and two outs. He grounded out sharply to IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall, who ran over to touch first base, ending the game. The IronPigs beat the Bisons 7-5.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Nick Duron (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 SO), while the loss went to Bisons’ starter Bowden Francis (4.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 BB, 3 SO).
The IronPigs are back on the road starting Tuesday at Frontier Field against the Rochester Red Wings at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
