On Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (34-29) played game three against the Buffalo Bisons (36-26), looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
Ricardo Sanchez (1-2, 4.68 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Bisons started Joe Biagini (2-2, 4.03 ERA).
In the first three innings, IronPigs’ starter Ricardo Sanchez only allowed two hits before the top of the fourth inning. Then Sanchez loaded the bases for Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth. He singled on a line drive past IronPigs’ shortstop Drew Maggi and into left field, bringing home a run, and Buffalo led 1-0 with two outs. Sanchez was able to get Bisons’ left fielder Nathan Lukes to ground out to Drew Maggi, who made the throw to Darick Hall for the final out of the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs were looking good at trying to get their first run of the game after a double by IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey. Then, IronPigs’ shortstop Drew Maggi moved Toffey to third base with a sacrifice bunt for the first out.
However, IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery came to the plate and hit the ball toward Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans. By that time, Will Toffey, who was on third base, started toward home plate. However, he was caught when Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans threw to the catcher Stevie Berman, who tagged him out and preceded to throw to the second baseman as Kingery was trying to take second base. Kingery, who was trying to take second base, was caught in a run down and tagged that, ended the inning.
Toffey’s decision cost the team a chance to score a run. Had he been patient and waited for the shortstop to throw to first base, Toffey might have scored and tied the game. Instead, the IronPigs still trailed 1-0.
At the top of the seventh inning, the Bisons added another run. Bisons’ catcher Stevie Berman hit a solo home run over the wall at left field, extending Buffalo’s lead 2-0 with two outs. Sanchez got the last out and would be done for the night. He pitched six innings, allowing six hits, two runs, two walks, and six strikeouts.
At the top of the seventh inning, Vineland, New Jersey, native Zach Warren was the new IronPigs pitcher. He gave up a single to Bisons’ right fielder Logan Warmoth. Then while left fielder Nathan Lukes was at the plate, Warmoth stole second base. Lukes would go down on strikes for the first out of the inning. Then Buffalo center fielder Chaves Young would come to the plate. During his at bat, Warmoth stole third base. Young then grounded out to IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery for the second out but not before Buffalo added another run for a 3-0 lead. The third out would come when Bisons’ Young popped up to end the inning.
The IronPigs finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. IronPigs’ right fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with runners on the corners. He singled on a ground ball past Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans and into left field, scoring a run that made it 3-1 Buffalo. Three batters later, IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Peterson had a chance to get the IronPigs lead with the bases loaded, but he struck out swinging.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the ninth inning, the IronPigs scored their last run of the game. IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery hit a solo home run into the Bison’s bullpen at left field, making it a one-run game 3-2 with two outs. Then, Bisons’ relief pitcher Adrian Hernandez struck out IronPigs’ catcher Edgar Cabral to end the game. The IronPigs lose 3-2.
The loss makes it a four-game losing streak for Lehigh Valley, and they are now 11-16 at home this year. Bisons’ relief pitcher Bowden Francis (3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) picked up his fourth win of the season, and the loss went to IronPigs’ starter Ricardo Sanchez, his third loss of the season.
The IronPigs will try to snap the four-game losing streak today 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.
