On Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-30) wrapped up a six-game series against the Buffalo Bisons (37-28).
Cristopher Sanchez (1-0, 2.45 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Bisons started Mike Ellenbest (0-0, 2.45 ERA).
The IronPigs struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Bisons’ starter Mike Ellenbest gave up a double to Micky Moniak before getting Drew Maggi to strike out and Johan Camargo to ground out for two outs. Then, he walked both first basemen Darick Hall and left fielder Jorge Bonifacio, with IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey coming to the plate. Toffey singled on a sharp line drive to right field, bringing home two runs and the IronPigs were up 2-0. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson grounded out for the third out of the inning.
At the top of the second inning, the Bisons cut the IronPigs’ lead. Bisons’ first baseman Cullen Large was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He tripled on a ground ball that hit the corner right field, scoring a run from first base, and the Bisons cut the IronPigs lead, 2-1, with no outs. IronPigs’ starter Cristopher Sanchez returned to get the last three outs of the inning.
That was it for Sanchez, who went two innings, allowing two hits, one run, no walks, and two strikeouts. He was doing a good job and could’ve gone another two innings. I don’t understand Anthony Contreras’s thinking as to why he won’t let his starters go past an inning or two. If he allowed Sanchez to continue to pitch, he would have some fresh arms in the bullpen. Corey Oswalt took over for Sanchez at the top of the third inning. He pitched two scoreless innings and allowed no hits, one walk, and one strikeout.
At the top of the sixth inning, the IronPigs’ defense made an excellent play with one out. Bisons’ second baseman Tanner Morris grounded out to second baseman Scott Kingery, who bobbled the ball before Dalton Guthrie retrieved it and threw it to Darick Hall for the second out. IronPigs’ pitcher Jakob Hernandez struck out Samad Taylor for the third out.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the sixth inning, the IronPigs got the run back on Darick Hall’s home run to right field for a 3-1 lead. It was his 19th home run of the season.
The IronPigs added another in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs. IronPigs’ shortstop Dalton Guthrie was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled on a line drive to right field, scoring a run that made it 4-1. However, Guthrie got caught trying to reach second base and was tagged out for the final out.
The IronPigs’ relief pitchers shut out the Bisons’ hitters for five innings. However, Buffalo cut the IronPigs lead in half at the top of the eighth inning. Tyler Cyr was the new IronPigs pitcher. Cyr gave up a double to Bisons’ shortstop Eric Stamets before walking Kellin Deglan and Tanner Morris, loading the bases with no outs. Bisons’ second baseman Samad Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to center field for the first out, bringing home a run that cut Lehigh Valley’s lead 4-2. Tyler Cyr got Zack Collins and Jordan Groshans to fly out for the last two outs of the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the IronPigs got the run back after Darick Hall hit another home run to right field for a 5-2 lead. It was his 17th home run of the season and his 57th RBI of the season.
At the top of the ninth inning, Braeden Ogle closed out the game for the IronPigs. He gave up a single to Cullen Large, followed by a double to Logan Warmoth. Then, Ogle walked Chavez Young, loading the bases with no outs. Ogle struck out Eric Stamets for the first out, and he got Kellin Deglan to ground out into a double play that ended the game, and the IronPigs won 5-2. Braeden Ogle went one inning, two hits, one walk, and one strikeout. He earned his first save of the year.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Corey Oswalt, and the loss went to Bisons’ starter Mike Ellenbest (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 SO).
The IronPigs continue their homestand on Tuesday against the Norfolk Tides at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise at Fanatics.com.
