On Friday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (35-29) were looking to snap a four-game losing streak against the Buffalo Bisons (36-27).
Michael Plassmeyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Bisons started Thomas Hatch (4-3, 5.05 ERA).
Before the game began, Bailey Falter was recalled by the Phillies, while INF Johan Camargo was making a rehab assignment as a designated hitter. In addition, LHP Ryan Sherriff made a rehab assignment for the IronPigs.
Michael Plassmeyer gave up one hit in the first two innings but ran into trouble at the top of the third inning. Bisons’ left field Chavez Young was up at-bat with a runner on first base with one out. He hit a two-run home out to the Capital Lawn in left field for a 2-0 Buffalo lead. Plassmeyer came back to get back-to-back groundouts from Nathan Lukes and Samad Taylor for the final outs of the inning. Plassmeyer gave up two walks and no hits in the next two innings.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, the IronPigs got the lead. IronPigs’ designated hitter Johan Camargo was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He cleared the bases with a three-run double to right field, and the IronPigs took the lead, 3-2, with one out. Lehigh Valley was unable to add any more runs in the inning.
At the top of the sixth inning, Plassmeyer gave up a single to Bisons’ center fielder Nathan Lukes and got the next two batters out. However, he was pulled and replaced by Dillion Maples. Plassmeyer went 5.2 innings, allowing four hits, two runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. Dillion Maples struck out Jordan Groshans for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the IronPigs had another chance to add to their lead. IronPigs’ shortstop Drew Maggi was up at-bat with runners on the corners. Meanwhile, the Bisons’ players moved the infield in order to prevent a run from scoring. Maggi hit the ball towards third baseman Tanner Morris. Will Toffey, who was on third, took off running for home, and Morris threw the ball to catcher Stevie Berman, who tagged out Toffey. Meanwhile, Jorge Bonifacio reached third base, and Maggi made it to first base.
This was the second consecutive game that Toffey got caught heading home. The IronPigs third base coach should’ve seen Buffalo moving their player’s infield and instructed Toffey to not take off unless the ball gets by one of Bisons’ players. There needs to be better communication between the IronPigs third base coach and the runners. Mickey Moniak came to the plate next and had a chance to get a run home with two outs but popped out for the third out.
At the top of the seventh inning, the Bisons took the lead. After IronPigs’ pitcher Dillion Maples walked the first two batters, he was replaced by Kyle Dohy. However, Dohy walked a batter that loaded the bases with one out. Two batters later, Bisons’ center fielder Nathan Lukes singled on a soft line drive to center field, scoring two runs that put Buffalo in the lead 4-3. Dohy came back to get Samad Taylor to ground out for the third out.
The IronPigs got back the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. First, IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson hit a double, followed by Will Toffey getting hit by a pitch. Then, IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery bunted towards Bisons’ pitcher Kyle Johnston, moving Peterson and Toffey to second and third base. Kingery was the first out of the inning.
Up next was IronPigs’ left fielder Jorge Bonifacio. He hit a two-run double towards the corner of left field, putting Lehigh Valley back on top 5-4 with one out. However, the IronPigs were unable to add any more runs in the inning.
IronPigs’ relief pitcher Mark Appel closed out the game at the top of the ninth inning. He made quick work to get the last three outs, and the IronPigs snapped a four-game losing streak, 5-4. Mark Appel (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) earned his fifth save of the season.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Ryan Sherriff (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO), and the loss went to Bisons’ relief pitcher Brandon Eisert (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 SO).
The series continues with game five on Saturday at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
