On Friday night at Frontier Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (22-18) played game four against the Rochester Red Wings (25-15). So far, the IronPigs have won two games on this six-game road trip.
Michael Mariot (2-0, 4.01 ERA), who’s been one of the IronPigs’ best starters this year, was on the mound for the IronPigs. Meanwhile, the Red Wings started Sterling Sharp (1-0, 4.05 ERA).
At the top of the second inning, the IronPigs took the lead. IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He clobbered a two-run home run over the YMCA and Red Wings a home run for Rochester sign out in right field for a 2-0 lead.
However, the Red Wings tied it up in the bottom of the second inning. Red Wings’ second baseman Lucius Fox was up at-bat. He hit a two-run home run under the scoreboard at right field, tying the game 2-2.
The IronPigs got back the lead at the top of the fourth inning. IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a line drive to left field. Red Wings’ left fielder Josh Palacios tried to drive for the ball but missed and a run scored for a 3-2 IronPigs lead.
Two batters later, IronPigs’ designated hitter Jorge Bonifacio was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He doubled on a line drive to the left field corner, scoring two more runs for a 5-2 lead.
IronPigs’ right fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a soft line drive to right field, adding another run, 6-2.
At the top of the fifth inning, the IronPigs added another run. Shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He hit a ground-rule double on a fly ball to right-center field, adding another run, 7-2. It was Maton’s fourth RBI of the night.
Meanwhile, IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot pitched a great game. He went six innings, allowing seven hits, two runs, three walks, and one strikeout. The IronPigs’ defense helped him with a couple of nice plays, including IronPigs’ third baseman Yairo Munoz making a throw to second base as he fell on the ground to Scott Kingery to turn a double play.
At the of the eighth inning, the IronPigs added three more runs. IronPigs’ designated hitter Jorge Bonifacio was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He hit an RBI single to left field for an 8-2 lead.
Then, IronPigs’ right fielder Dalton Guthrie doubled on a sharp ground to left field. The ball was deflected by Red Wings’ third baseman Richard Urena, scoring another run, 9-2. Finally, IronPigs’ center fielder Matt Vierling was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He doubled to the left field corner, scoring Guthrie for a 10-2 lead.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the ninth inning, Michael Kelly closed out the game for the IronPigs. He gave up one hit but got the last three outs, and the IronPigs won the game 10-2.
The win went to IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot, his third of the season, while the loss went to Red Wings’ starter Sterling Sharp (4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 7 SO).
Game five at Frontier Field happens tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
