On Friday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (25-21) were looking to win their third straight game against the Worcester Red Sox (21-25) on Jurassic Park night.
Michael Mariot (3-0, 3.86 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Red Sox started Brian Keller (0-2, 6.29 ERA). Before the game, the Phillies called up starting pitcher Bailey Falter while sending Jose Alvarado to Lehigh Valley.
The IronPigs got off to a good start in the bottom of the first inning. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He singled past a diving Red Sox first baseman Roberto Ramos and into right field, scoring a run that put Lehigh Valley up 1-0. Then, a sacrifice fly out to left field near the warning track by IronPigs’ third baseman Yairo Munoz made it 2-0 IronPigs. Unfortunately, that would be the only runs scored for the IronPigs as the bats went quiet for the rest of the game.
The Red Sox took the lead at the top of the second inning. Red Sox catcher Ronaldo Hernandez was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He doubled over a leaping Scott Kingery at right field, scoring a run that cut the IronPigs lead 2-1. Then, a sacrifice fly by Red Sox’s first baseman Roberto Ramos out to left field tied the game 2-2.
Red Sox’s right fielder Jaylin Davis was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He doubled to left field in front of an open area in-between left fielder Dustin Peterson and center fielder Matt Vierling, adding another run, 3-2.
The Red Sox batters were roughing up IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot. At the top of the third inning, the Red Sox added another run. Red Sox’s designated hitter Rob Refsnyder hit a solo home run into the picnic area at left-center field for a 4-2 lead.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, the Red Sox added three more runs. Red Sox’s shortstop Yolmer Sanchez was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a three-run home run, hitting the roof of the KYLR bar at right field for a 7-2 lead.
That would be it for IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot, who went 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs, two walks, and three strikeouts. Jeff Singer was the new IronPigs pitcher.
At the top of the fifth inning, it was batting practice for the Red Sox. Red Sox’s right fielder Jaylin Davis was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He hit a two-run single just in front of Matt Vierling at center field, and it was now 9-2 Red Sox.
Jeff Singer was done after that, and Dillon Maples was the new IronPigs pitcher. Maple’s walked Red Sox second baseman, Jonathan Arauz with the bases loaded for a 10-2 lead.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, the Red Sox added more runs. Red Sox’s second baseman Jonathan Arauz was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He grounded into a forceout to IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall while a run scored, 11-2.
Then, Red Sox’s third baseman Ryan Fitzgerald grounded into a fielder’s choice to IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery, who threw a low ball to Nick Maton. Everyone was safe while another run scored, 12-2. Red Sox’s designated hitter Rob Refsnyder doubled on a fly ball, hitting the Truly Hard Seltzer sign at right field for a 13-2 lead.
At the top of the eighth inning, the IronPigs put Jorge Bonifacio in at left field, replacing Dustin Peterson. Red Sox’s right fielder Jaylin Davis was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He singled on a sharp line drive to center field for a 14-2 lead.
Three batters later, with the bases loaded, Red Sox’s second baseman Jonathan Arauz singled on a line drive to center field, and the score was 15-2 Red Sox. Finally, new Red Sox’s designated hitter Deivy Grullon hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring the Red Sox’s final run of the game, 16-2.
At the top of the ninth inning, the IronPigs went through all of their bullpen pitchers, and Drew Maggi, who plays infield, was the new pitcher. He gave up a single but got the last three outs. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Frank German closed out the game for the Red Sox. He got the final three outs, and the Red Sox annihilated the IronPigs 16-2.
The win went to Red Sox’s relief pitcher Geoff Hartlieb (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot, his first of the season. The IronPigs pitchers gave up fifteen hits.
Game five of the series from Coca-Cola Park is tonight at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
