On Friday at PNC Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (28-24) played a doubleheader against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (19-32). The first game was a regular game, and the second was the makeup game from Wednesday night.
In game one, Bailey Falter (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the RailRiders started Ryan Weber (2-1, 2.45 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the IronPigs struck first. IronPigs’ center fielder Matt Vierling was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He tripled on a line drive to center field, scoring a run for a 1-0 lead.
Then, IronPigs’ third baseman Yairo Munoz singled over RailRiders’ shortstop Oswald Peraza’s glove and into left field, adding another run, 2-0. Two batters later, IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He hit a three-run home run out the Oak Grove picnic area at right field for a 5-0.
The IronPigs blew the game open at the top of the third inning. IronPigs’ left fielder Jorge Bonifacio was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He hit a grand slam into the RailRiders bullpen at left field for a 9-0 lead.
IronPigs’ starter Bailey Falter shut out the RailRiders’ batters in the first four innings until the bottom of the fifth inning. RailRiders’ left fielder Oliver Dunn was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He hit a two-run home run out to the Oak Grove picnic area at right field, cutting the IronPigs’ lead 9-2, with one out. Falter got the last two outs to end the inning.
Falter pitched one more inning to wrap up a great night for him. He pitched six innings and allowed six hits, two runs, one walk, and nine strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Dillion Maples closed out the game for the IronPigs. He got the last three outs, and the IronPigs won game one, 9-2. The IronPigs’ batters had 11 hits.
The win went to IronPigs’ starter Bailey Falter, his second of the season, while the loss went to RailRiders’ starter Ryan Weber (2.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 0 BB, 0 SO).
Jake Newberry (0-0, 4.85 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs making his debut in game two. He was with the Omaha Storm Chasers, pitching 13 innings and six strikeouts in ten games. Meanwhile, the RailRiders started Jhony Brito (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
The game was scoreless in the first three innings. IronPigs’ starter Jake Newberry went two innings, allowing one hit, no runs, no walks, and one strikeout.
At the top of the fourth inning, the IronPigs struck first. First, IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey was up at-bat with runners on the corners. Then, IronPigs’ left fielder Jorge Bonifacio attempted to steal second base but got caught in a rundown.
However, IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson took a chance and ran for home. RailRiders’ second baseman Oliver Dunn threw to home, but Peterson scored, and Bonifacio stole second base for a 1-0 IronPigs lead.
The IronPigs pitchers shut out the RailRiders in the first five innings until the bottom of the sixth inning. RailRiders’ shortstop Jose Peraza was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He singled on a line drive over Yairo Munoz and into center field, scoring two runs that put the RailRiders up, 2-1.
The IronPigs had one more chance to tie the game or win it at the top of the seventh inning, with Greg Weissert closing out the game for the RailRiders. Unfortunately, Weissert struck out the last three batters, and the RailRiders won the game, 2-1. Weissert earned his fourth save of the season.
The win went to RailRiders’ relief pitcher David McKay (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Nick Duron (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 SO).
Game five of the series continues today at 6:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
