On Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (24-20) were looking to rebound after getting dismantled Tuesday night 13-2 by the Worcester Red Sox (20-24).
James Marvel (0-5, 11.78 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs looking for his first win of the season, while the Red Sox started Kutter Crawford (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the Red Sox struck first. Red Sox right fielder Rob Refsnyder was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled to left field, scoring a run that put Worcester in the lead, 1-0.
The IronPigs tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He hit an RBI double to right field that tied the game 1-1.
At the top of the third inning, the Red Sox got back the lead. Red Sox’s first baseman Ryan Fitzgerald was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He grounded to IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery for a double play, while a run scored for a 2-1 lead with two outs.
At the top of the fourth inning, the Red Sox added another run. Red Sox’s first baseman Roberto Ramos was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He singled on a sharp line drive to right field, adding another run for the Red Sox, 3-1.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the IronPigs tied the game. IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He hit a two-run home run into IronPigs bullpen at left field, tying the game 3-3.
Four batters later, IronPigs’ center fielder Matt Vierling was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a line drive to center field, scoring a run that put Lehigh Valley up 4-3. It was their first lead of the game.
The IronPigs started to fatten their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run for a 5-3 lead. It was Hall’s 48th RBI of the season. Two batters later, IronPigs’ shortstop Nick Maton doubled on a fly ball to left field, adding another run, 6-3.
The Red Sox started to chip away at the IronPigs lead at the top of the eighth inning. Red Sox right fielder Rob Refsnyder was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He hit an RBI double to left field, scoring a run that made it a two-run game, 6-4.
The IronPigs got the run back in the bottom of the eighth inning. IronPigs’ third baseman Drew Maggi was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He caught the Red Sox off guard with a bunt single toward Red Sox’s first baseman Roberto Ramos. Ramos got the ball and threw to home plate, but Nick Maton hustled and beat the throw for a 7-4 lead.
It was a good thing the IronPigs scored that run. At the top of the ninth inning, Nick Duron closed out the game for the IronPigs. However, he ran into trouble as the Red Sox made it a one-run game. Red Sox’s first baseman Ryan Fitzgerald was up at-bat with a runner on first base.
He hit a two-run home run over the Cedar Crest College sign out at right field, making it a one-run game, 7-6. After giving up the home run, Duron got the last three outs, and the IronPigs won the game 7-6. It was nice to see the IronPigs respond after being clobbered Tuesday night.
The winning pitcher was IronPigs’ starter James Marvel, his first of the season. Marvel pitched 5.2 innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, two walks, and two strikeouts, while the loss went to Red Sox’s relief pitcher Silvino Bracho (2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 4 SO).
Game three of the homestand 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.
