On Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (34-28) were looking to get back in the winning column against the Buffalo Bisons (35-26).
Cristopher Sanchez (1-0, 2.70 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Bisons started Nick Allgeyer (2-2, 5.55 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, the IronPigs made some errors that should’ve been an easy two-outs. Instead, Sanchez had to work hard to get the three outs to retire the side. When the IronPigs came to bat, they struggled to get on base, and the game was scoreless after one inning.
For the third straight game, IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras changed pitchers. Hammonton, New Jersey, native Joe Gatto replaced Sanchez. Gatto recently celebrated his 27th birthday on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sanchez had only pitched one inning, with no hits, no runs, no walks, and one strikeout. Meanwhile, Gatto gave up a double to Bisons’ second baseman Samad Taylor but did come back to get the last three outs to end the inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, the IronPigs struck first. IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan hit a solo home run just over the wall at left field, putting Lehigh Valley up 1-0.
At the top of the third inning, the Bisons took the lead. Bisons’ second baseman Samad Taylor was up at-bat with the bases loaded with two outs. He doubled on a soft line drive to left field, scoring two runs, putting Buffalo up 2-1.
Then, a wild pitch by Joe Gatto made it 3-1 Bisons. Gatto got the last out to end the inning, and then his night was finished. He went two innings, allowing four hits, three runs, one walk, and three strikeouts.
In the bottom of the third inning, the IronPigs took advantage of a Bison’s error, making it a one-run game. IronPigs’ second baseman Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with Drew Maggi on second base. Bisons’ relief pitcher Derek Holland tried to pick off Maggi, but the ball got by Samad Taylor and rolled out to center field. Maggi took off running for third base. Then, Bisons’ center fielder Nathan Lukes could not grab the ball in his glove, and Maggi scored, making it a one-run game, 3-2.
At the top of the fifth inning, the Bisons got the run back. Bisons’ third baseman Tanner Morris was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a sharp line drive to left field, scoring a run, 4-2.
Heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs came back to tie the game. First, IronPigs’ second baseman Dalton Guthrie hit a solo home run into the Bisons’ bullpen at left field, making it a one-run game, 4-3. Two batters later, IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan stepped up to the plate with a runner on first base. He doubled off the right field wall and brought home a run, tying the game 4-4.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, Francisco Morales was the new IronPigs pitcher. First, Morales loaded the bases for Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large. Cullen Large grounded into a forceout at second base but brought home a run, 5-4. Then, Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth singled past a diving Dalton Guthrie and into center field, adding another run, 6-4.
After loading the bases, Morales was done, and Jonathan Hennigan was the new IronPigs pitcher. Unfortunately, Hennigan forced in a run after hitting Bisons’ center fielder Nathan Lukes, and it was now 7-4 Buffalo.
At the top of the ninth inning, Nick Duron replaced Jonathan Hennigan. Three batters later, Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth was up at-bat with a runner on third base. He singled on a ground ball to right field, adding another run for the Bisons, 8-4.
The IronPigs bats went quiet after the sixth inning, only getting two hits for the rest of the game. Kyle Johnston closed out the game for the Bisons and made quick work to get the last three outs of the game, and IronPigs dropped their third game in a row, 8-4.
The win went to Bisons’ relief pitcher Shaun Anderson (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO), and the loss went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Francisco Morales (0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 0 SO).
Game three between the IronPigs and Bisons is tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
