On Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (35-30) squandered opportunities and committed two errors in a loss to the Buffalo Bisons (37-27).
Jake Newberry (1-1, 3.79 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Bisons started Derek Holland (0-3, 6.17 ERA).
Jake Newberry pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks before he was replaced by Joe Gatto at the top of the third inning. Newberry looked good and could’ve gone two or three more innings.
At the top of the third inning, the Bisons took the lead. First, center fielder Nathan Lukes hit a double to center field. IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie bobbled the ball, allowing Lukes to reach third base. Two batters later, Bisons’ catcher Zac Collins was up at-bat with Lukes at third base with one out. Collins hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Lukes, putting Buffalo up 1-0.
Then, IronPigs’ relief pitcher Joe Gatto walked the next two batters that loaded the bases. Luckily, Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large grounded into a double-play for the last two outs that ended the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fourth inning, the IronPigs only had one hit through three innings. Then, the IronPigs found a way to take the lead. IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery was up at-bat with the bases loaded and two outs. He singled on a ground ball to Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans, who picked up the ball and threw it to Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large but Kingery beat the throw while a run scored that tied the game. Then, Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large immediately threw the ball to catcher Zac Collins but was late, and another run scored, putting the IronPigs up 2-1, as Kingery made it to second base.
Kingery was not done. While IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat, he stole third base. Unfortunately, Guthrie grounded out to third base for the final out of the inning.
At the top of the fifth inning, Aaron Barrett was the new IronPigs pitcher. First, he gave up a double to Bisons’ shortstop Jordan Groshans. Then, two batters later, Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large hit a soft fly ball to center field, bringing home the tying run 2-2.
Then, Aaron Barrett struck out right fielder Logan Warmoth and IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan caught Cullen Large attempting to steal second base and threw the ball over to Scott Kingery, who tagged out Large for the final out of the inning.
The Bisons would take the lead at the top of the sixth inning. Francisco Morales was the new IronPigs pitcher. First, Bisons’ right fielder Chavez Young singled to right field. Then, during Nick Podkul’s plate appearance, Young stole second base.
Unfortunately for Morales, he walked Podkul. Then, during Samad Taylor’s plate appearance, Chavez Young attempted to steal third base. Not only did he get third base, but he also stole home after Rafael Marchan’s throw was low and bounced off Will Toffey’s glove and into left field, and the Bisons led 3-2. Morales walked Taylor but was able to get the last two outs that ended the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the IronPigs had a chance to tie the game or take the lead with the bases loaded and one out. However, IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery popped up for the second out, and center fielder Dalton Guthrie struck out swinging for the third out.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaun Anderson closed out the game for the Bisons. He made quick work to get the last three outs of the game, and the Bisons won 3-2. The IronPigs batters only managed one hit for the rest of the game. The IronPigs pitchers gave up nine walks, which now leads the International League with 106 walks this year in 65 games.
The win went to Bisons’ relief pitcher Jake Elliott (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO), and the loss went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Francisco Morales (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 SO). Shaun Anderson (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO) earned his first save of the season.
The series concludes today at 1:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pickup IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
