On Friday night at Werner Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (33-25) were looking to get back on the winning track after being blown out Thursday night by the Omaha Storm Chasers (28-28).
The IronPigs found out on Friday that they were getting back Scott Kingery after the Phillies sent him back to Lehigh Valley when they activated pitcher Zach Wheeler off the paternity list.
Michael Plassmeyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, making his debut. He was acquired by the Phillies this week from the San Francisco Giants for catcher Austin Wynns. Plassmeyer was 0-6, with a 7.38 ERA with the Sacramento River Cats. Meanwhile, the Storm Chasers started Austin Cox (0-3, 4.56 ERA).
On the game’s first pitch, IronPigs’ designated hitter Yairo Munoz crushed a solo home run out to left field for a 1-0 lead at the top of the first inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the third inning, the IronPigs added another run. IronPigs’ shortstop Drew Maggi was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He singled on a fly ball to center field. Storm Chasers’ center fielder Brewer Hicklen made a throwing error trying to get Yairo Munoz, but the ball got by third baseman Jimmy Govern, and Munoz scored for a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs made a costly error that allowed Omaha back in the game. Storm Chasers’ left fielder Nate Eaton ground to third baseman Will Toffey. However, Toffey overthrew the first baseman Darick Hall, and Eaton reached first base.
Storm Chasers’ shortstop Ivan Castillo was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. Nate Eaton and Jimmy Govern went for a double steal and IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan threw to third baseman Will Toffey, but the ball got by him, and Omaha scored, cutting the IronPigs lead 2-1. Castillo struck out for the second out.
Then, Storm Chasers’ first baseman Nick Pratto tripled on a fly ball to right field, scoring a run that tied the game, 2-2. The IronPigs were able to get Storm Chasers’ right fielder Edward Olivares to ground out for the final out of the inning.
That would be it for Michael Plassmeyer, who finished the game pitching five innings, allowing five hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts. Vineland, New Jersey, native Zach Warren took over for Plassmeyer in the bottom of the sixth inning. The IronPigs’ relief pitchers did a nice job keeping the game tied.
At the top of the ninth inning, the IronPigs had a chance to take the lead. IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with runners on the corners with two outs. Unfortunately for Guthrie, he grounded into a forceout for the final out.
IronPigs’ relief pitcher Nick Duron took over in the bottom of the ninth inning. He gave up a single to Storm Chasers’ left field Nate Eaton with one out. However, Eaton tried to steal second base, but Rafael Marchan threw a laser to second baseman Ali Castillo to tag Eaton for the second out. Duron got the last out to send the game into extra innings.
In extra innings, teams begin with a runner on second base. IronPigs’ designated hitter Yairo Munoz was up at-bat. He crushed a two-run home run at the same spot out in left field, giving the IronPigs a 4-2 lead.
Three batters later, IronPigs’ left field Jorge Bonifacio was up at-bat with runners on the corners. First, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall tried to steal second base but was caught for the first out. Then, Storm Chasers’ relief pitcher Ronald Bolanos threw a wild pitch on a 3-2 count that kicked off the shin guard of catcher Cam Gallagher and Maggi scored for a 5-2 lead. The IronPigs were unable to add any more runs in the inning.
The IronPigs turned to Mark Appel to close out the game in the bottom of the tenth inning. First, he walked Storm Chasers’ shortstop Ivan Castillo, putting runners on first and second base. Appel shook it off and got the final three outs that ended the game, and IronPigs won 5-2. The IronPigs are 8-2 in the last ten games. IronPigs’ designated hitter Yairo Munoz went 3-5 with two home runs and three RBIs.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Nick Duron (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO), while the loss went to Storm Chasers’ relief pitcher Ronald Bolaños (0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 0 SO).
Game five 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.
