On Thursday night at PNC Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (27-23) took on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (18-31) in game two of the series. Wednesday night’s game was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday.
Mike Mariot (3-1, 4.98 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the RailRiders started JP Sears (1-0, 0.83 ERA).
After two scoreless innings, the action picked up in the bottom of the third inning. RailRiders’ third baseman Armando Alvarez hit a solo home run into the IronPigs’ bullpen at left field, giving them a 1-0 lead.
The IronPigs bats went to work at the top of the fifth inning. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a two-run double to right-center field, giving the IronPigs a 2-1 lead. Then, IronPigs’ third baseman Drew Maggi singled out to center field, scoring Peterson for a 3-1 lead.
IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot pitched another good game, going six innings, allowing two hits, one run, one walk, and five strikeouts.
Jonathan Hennigan was the new IronPigs pitcher in the bottom of the seventh inning. He gave up a solo home run out to deep left field by RailRiders’ right fielder Phillip Evans, making it a one-run game 3-2 with one out.
After giving up the home run, Hennigan settled down and got the last two outs of the inning. Moving ahead to the bottom of the ninth, Jose Alvarado closed out the game for the IronPigs. He made quick work to get the last three outs of the game, and the IronPigs won 3-2.
The win went to IronPigs’ starter Michael Mariot, his fourth win of the season, while the loss went to RailRiders’ starter JP Sears (4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 SO).
The IronPigs and RailRiders play a doubleheader on Friday, starting at 5:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
