On Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (23-20) started a six-game homestand against the Worcester Red Sox (20-23).
Before the game, Bailey Falter was supposed to start for the IronPigs. However, he and Cristopher Sanchez were scratched, presumably headed back to Philadelphia. Corey Oswalt (0-0, 7.71 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Red Sox started Brayan Bello (1-0, 3.00 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the Red Sox struck first. Red Sox’s right fielder Rob Refsnyder was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He doubled on a sharp fly ball over IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Pederson’s head at left field, scoring a run that made it 1-0.
The IronPigs responded in the bottom of the first inning. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a fly ball to center field, scoring a run that tied the game 1-1. It was Hall’s 47th RBI of the season.
At the top of the second inning, the game started to get away from the IronPigs. The Red Sox had runners on the corners, and IronPigs’ starter Corey Oswalt threw the ball high, hitting the glove of Wynns and the ball got away from him, scoring a run that put Worcester up 2-1. Then, Red Sox’s center fielder Jarren Duran tripled out to right field, scoring another run for a 3-1 lead.
At the top of the third inning, Hammonton native Joe Gatto replaced Corey Oswalt. Oswalt finished the game pitching two innings, allowing five hits, three runs, no walks, and one strikeout. However, the Red Sox added another run. Red Sox catcher Connor Wong hit a solo home run near the foul pole at left field for a 4-1 lead.
Then, the Red Sox added another run at the top of the fifth inning. Red Sox’s designated hitter Ronaldo Hernandez hit a solo home run out to left field for a 5-1 lead. Joe Gatto was done after that, and Jeff Singer was the new pitcher. Jeff Singer got the three outs.
At the top of the sixth inning, Kyle Dohy was the new IronPigs pitcher, and it did not go well. Red Sox’s right fielder Rob Refsnyder was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He hit a two-run home run off the back wall of the Red Sox bullpen at left field for a 7-1 lead.
Then, Red Sox’ left fielder Chris Stewart hit a solo home run over the Klyr Bar roof at right field, making it 8-1. Three batters later, the Red Sox had a runner on second base for second baseman Yolmer Sanchez. He grounded into a fielder’s choice to first baseman Darick Hall, who got the ball and tossed it to pitcher Kyle Dohy but Dohy dropped the ball, and Sanchez was safe at first base, while another run scored 9-1.
Three batters later, with the bases loaded, Red Sox’s third baseman Ryan Fitzgerald singled on a soft line drive to left field, scoring two more runs for an 11-1 lead.
Since scoring their first run at the top of the first inning, the IronPigs were shut out until the bottom of the fifth inning when IronPigs’ center fielder Matt Vierling was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He doubled on a fly ball to center field, scoring a run that cut the Red Sox lead 11-2. That would be the last run scored by the IronPigs. The IronPigs were shut out for the rest of the game.
At the top of the seventh inning, the Red Sox scored two more runs. Red Sox’s third baseman Ryan Fitzgerald was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He hit the ball towards second baseman Scott Kingery and reached on a fielder’s choice when Kingery threw the ball wide to Nick Maton, and everyone was safe while a run scored 12-2 with no outs.
At that point, the IronPigs were willing to give up another run for two outs. Red Sox’s right fielder Rob Refsnyder was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He grounded into a double play, scoring a run for a 13-2 lead, but the IronPigs got the two outs. They would get the third out a batter later.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the ninth inning, Frank German closed out the game for the Red Sox. He got the last three outs, and the Red Sox won the game 13-2. This was not a good game for the IronPigs, who are now 9-10 at home this year.
The win went to Red Sox’s starter Brayan Belo (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 10 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ starter, Corey Oswalt.
Game two of the six-game series continues today at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up your IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
