On Tuesday night at Werner Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (31-24) made their first trip out to the mid-west against the Omaha Storm Chasers (27-26) for a six-game series.
The Storm Chasers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They have been around since 1969 as a member of the American Association (1969-1997) and the Pacific Coast League (1998-2020). They have been previously known as the Royals (1969-98, 2002-10) and Golden Spikes (1999-01). The Storm Chasers have won seven championships (4 in American Association and three in Pacific Coast League), four conference titles, and 15 division titles.
Corey Oswalt (1-1, 6.30 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Storm Chasers started Jackson Kowar (3-3, 5.80 ERA).
Before the game, there were some player transactions. First, the Philadelphia Phillies recalled Matt Vierling and Scott Kingery, while Ali Castillo made his return to the IronPigs after spending time with the Reading Fightin’ Phils. He played two games for the IronPigs this year. Meanwhile, Romain Quinn was designated for assignment by the Phillies but elected free agency instead of returning to Lehigh Valley.
The Storm Chasers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Vinny Pasquantino. Luckily, IronPigs’ starter Corey Oswalt kept it a one-run game when he was taken out in the bottom of the third inning with two outs. Oswalt pitched 2.2 innings, allowing three hits, one run, two walks, and one strikeout. Jonathan Hennigan replaced Oswalt and got the last out to end the inning.
The IronPigs tied the game at the top of the fourth inning. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring a run that tied the game, 1-1. It was Hall’s 54th RBI this year.
Moving ahead to the top of the fifth inning, the IronPigs took the lead. IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He singled on a ground ball past a diving first baseman Vinny Pasquantino and into right field, scoring a run that put the IronPigs up, 2-1. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson had a chance to blow the game open with the bases loaded with one out but grounded into a double play that ended the inning.
The IronPigs started to pull away at the top of the sixth inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Ali Castillo was up at-bat with runners on second and third base. He hit a two-run single to center field, adding to the IronPigs lead, 4-1.
Three batters later, IronPigs’ shortstop Drew Maggi was up at-bat with runners on the corners. During his plate appearance, Storm Chasers’ catcher Cam Gallagher made a throwing error to third base, but the ball hit Ali Castillo before heading to left field, allowing another run to score, 5-1. Maggi would get hit by a pitch that loaded the bases.
For the second consecutive inning, IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with the bases loaded with two outs. He grounded to Storm Chasers’ second baseman Clay Dungan for the third out.
At the top of the seventh inning, light rain began to fall on the field. The Storm Chasers made quick work of the IronPigs to end the inning. However, the rain came down harder, and the game was called a short time later. The IronPigs beat the Storm Chasers in seven innings, 5-1. The IronPigs have now won three straight and are now 20-11 on the road this year.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher José Alvarado (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO), while the loss went to Storm Chasers’ starter Jackson Kowar (5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 SO).
Game two of the series continues today at 8:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
