On Tuesday night, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (20-17) started a six-game road trip at Frontier Field against the Rochester Red Wings (24-13), who were looking to win their tenth game in a row.
Bailey Falter (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Red Wings started Cade Cavalli (1-2, 6.18 ERA). Before the game, Scott Kingery made his season debut at second base for the first time since having season-ending shoulder surgery in July 2021.
The IronPigs didn’t waste time getting on the board at the top of the first inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery was up at-bat with two outs and runners on first and second base. He singled on a line drive to center field, scoring a run that put Lehigh Valley up 1-0.
Two batters later, IronPigs’ third baseman Yairo Munoz was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He cleared the bases with a double to center field for a 4-0 lead. Red Wings’ center fielder Andrew Stevenson tried to make a diving catch but missed it, allowing the runs to score.
IronPigs’ designated hitter Jorge Bonifacio was up at-bat. During his plate appearance, Munoz stole third base. Then, Bonifacio singled on a line drive to right-center field, scoring Munoz for a 5-0 lead. After giving up five runs, the Red Wings took Cavalli out and replaced him with Carson Teel. The Red Wings got the last out to end the inning.
At the top of the second inning, the IronPigs added more runs. IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He singled on a ground ball to left field, adding another run, 6-0. Two batters later, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton cleared the bases with a three-run double to right-center field for a 9-0 lead.
At the top of the third inning, the IronPigs added another run. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He grounded into a forceout at second base while adding another run, 10-0.
Meanwhile, IronPigs’ starter Bailey Falter mowed down the Red Wings batters. He pitched five innings, allowing one hit, no runs, no walks, and seven strikeouts on 65 pitches. IN the bottom of the sixth inning, Corey Oswalt replaced Falter.
The Red Wings began to chip away at the IronPigs’ lead. Red Wings’ designated hitter Jake Noll was up at-bat with runners on first and second base and one out. He doubled on a line drive to left field, scoring two runs that made it 10-2.
Two batters later, Red Wings’ left fielder Josh Palacios singled on a ground ball to center field, adding another run, 10-3. The Red Wings added one more run. Red Wings’ second baseman Lucius Fox was up at-bat with runners on first and second base with two outs. He doubled on a pop-up to shortstop Nick Maton. Maton, Dustin Peterson, and Yairo Munoz chased the ball, but the ball fell on the ground, and another run scored, 10-4.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the eighth inning, the Red Wings scored their final run of the game. Michael Kelly was the new IronPigs pitcher to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Red Wings’ third baseman Andrew Young was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs’ lead in half, 10-5.
At the top of the ninth inning, the IronPigs scored their final run of the game. IronPigs’ designated hitter Jorge Bonifacio hit a solo home run just in front of the M&T Bank sign in left field for an 11-5 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Tyler Cyr closed out the game for the IronPigs. He got the last three outs, and the IronPigs won the game 11-5. The win snapped the Red Wings’ nine-game winning streak.
The win went to IronPigs’ starter Bailey Falter, while the loss went to Red Wings’ starter Cade Cavalli (0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 SO).
Game two of the six-game series continues today at 6:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
