The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (21-18) played game three at Frontier Field against the Rochester Red Wings (25-14) on Thursday afternoon. It was Education Day at Frontier Field, where kids were treated to a baseball game. The game started an hour later due to rain.
James Marvel (0-5, 11.12 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, looking for his first win of the season in his eighth start, while the Red Wings started Jefry Rodriguez (1-1, 5.61 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the IronPigs struck first. IronPigs’ left fielder Matt Vierling hit a solo home run over the IronPigs bullpen at left field for a 1-0 lead. Three batters later, IronPigs’ third baseman Yairo Munoz was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He singled on a line drive over Red Wings’ second baseman Lucius Fox’s glove at right field, scoring a run that extended Lehigh Valley’s lead 2-0.
IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He tripled on a fly ball to center field. Red Wings’ center fielder Donovan Casey missed a catch near the center field wall and a run scored, making it 3-0 IronPigs.
Then, IronPigs’ catcher Edgar Cabral singled on a pop-up fly ball to right field that fell in-between three Red Wings players, adding another run, 4-0.
However, the Red Wings answered back in the bottom of the first inning. Red Wings’ designated hitter Taylor Gushue was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He hit a two-run single out to right field, cutting the IronPigs’ lead in half 4-2. Then, Red Wings’ right fielder Josh Palacios singled to center field, adding another run, 4-3. Two batters later, Red Wings’ second baseman Lucius Fox was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He grounded out to IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall, but not before adding another run for the Red Wings that tied the game 4-4.
The IronPigs got back the lead at the top of the second inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He grounded out to Red Wings’ shortstop Luis Garcia, who threw to first base while a run scored, and the IronPigs were back up 5-4. Then, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall singled to left field, scoring another run for a 6-4 lead. However, the Red Wings tied the game in the bottom of the second inning.
Red Wings’ designated hitter Taylor Gushue was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He singled on a line drive to center field, scoring a run that made it a one-run game 6-5. Then, a sacrifice fly by Red Wings’ right fielder Josh Palacios tied the game 6-6.
That would be it for IronPigs’ starter James Marvel, who pitched three innings, allowing nine hits, six runs, one walk, and one strikeout in a no decision.
At the top of the third inning, the IronPigs broke the tie. IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled out to left field, scoring a run that made it 7-6 IronPigs.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the game was tied again. Red Wings’ first baseman Joey Meneses hit an opposite field home run to right field, tying the game 7-7.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Red Wings took the lead. Hammonton, New Jersey, native Joe Gatto was pitching for the IronPigs and had runners on first and second base. He threw a wild pitch. However, IronPigs’ catcher Edgar Cabral threw the ball wide left to third baseman Yairo Munoz and, as a result, scored a run for an 8-7 Red Wings lead. Then, Red Wings’ first baseman Joey Meneses singled on a ground ball to right field, adding another run, 9-7.
Moving ahead to the top of the ninth inning, the IronPigs had one more chance to get back into the game. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He hit a two-run home run at the RE/MAX picnic nest area at right field, tying the game 9-9.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Red Wings won the game. Red Wings’ designated Taylor Gushue was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He popped up towards right field. John Andreoli, Drew Maggi, and Darick Hall were chasing the ball when Maggi tried to make a backhand catch but missed it, allowing a run to score from first base, and Rochester won the game 10-9. That play could’ve been prevented had either Maggi or Andreoli called for the ball. The game would’ve headed to extra innings if a catch was made.
The win went to Red Wings’ relief pitcher Jordan Weems (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Damon Jones (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SO).
Game four of the six-game series continues tomorrow at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
