On Sunday night at NBT Bank Stadium, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Syracuse Mets in the final game of the series.
Michael Plassmeyer (0-0, 3.29 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Mets started Nate Fisher (0-1, 4.24 ERA).
The IronPigs batters were quiet early in this game. They had a chance to score in the bottom of the second inning, but Daniel Robertson got picked off at third base on a clever play by the Mets. Mets’ catcher Daniel Mazeika went to throw the ball to second baseman Gosuke Katoh in an attempt at catching Ali Castillo stealing second. Instead, Nate Fisher caught the ball and threw it to third baseman Luke Ritter to tag out Robertson.
After two scoreless innings, the Mets struck first in the bottom of the third inning. IronPigs pitcher Michael Plassmeyer gave up a single to Gosuke Katoh, followed by striking out Luke Ritter. Then, he walked Kramer Robertson and struck out Khalil Lee. Mets’ designated hitter Mark Vientos hit a ground-rule double to left field, putting the Mets up 1-0.
That was it for Michael Plassmeyer, who went 2.2 innings. Allowing three hits, one run, one walk, and three strikeouts in 51 pitches. Zach Warren replaced him. Warren walked Mets’ catcher Patrick Mazeika to load the bases. Finally, Nick Dini grounded out to third base, ending the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, Ryan Sherriff replaced Zach Warren. Warren went 1.1 innings, two hits, no runs, two walks, and two strikeouts in 29 pitches. Sherriff got Mark Vientos to fly out, followed by back-to-back walks to Patrick Mazeika and Nick Dini. After striking out Travis Blankenhorn, Sherriff got Johneshwy Fargas to fly out that retired the side.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Johnathan Hennigan replaced Ryan Sherriff. Sherriff went one inning, allowing no hits, no runs, two walks, and one strikeout. Hennigan made quick work to end the inning.
The IronPigs batters woke up at the top of the seventh inning. IronPigs’ center fielder Chris Sharpe hit a single with one out. Jorge Bonifacio was up next, but he popped out for the second out, bringing up Will Toffey. During Toffey’s at-bat, Sharpe stole second base, and Toffey walked. Then, IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson singled on a line drive to right field, scoring Sharpe that tied the game, 1-1.
IronPigs’ designated hitter Donny Sands was up next, and he walked, loading the bases. Unfortunately, IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, chaos was unleashed. Johnathan Hennigan hit two batters and gave up a single to Mark Vientos, loading the bases. Then, Nick Dini grounded into a forceout at third base when Will Toffey threw to Rafael Marchan, and Khalil Lee slid, hitting Marchan’s left leg, and he was down for several minutes.
Meanwhile, the benches cleared, and there was some pushing, but no punches were thrown. In the end, IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras and pitcher Aaron Barrett were ejected from the game.
The Mets took a 4-1 lead with two outs when center fielder Johneshwy Fargas cleared the bases with a three-run double to the corner of left field. After Hennigan walked Gosuke Katoh, Hennigan was pulled for Ofreidy Gomez. Hennigan went 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, three runs, one walk, and no strikeouts. During Luke Ritter’s at-bat, Fargas and Katoh stole second and third base. Then, Ofreidy Gomez threw a wild pitch walking Luke Ritter. Johneshwy Fargas scored for a 5-1 lead with two outs. Finally, Gomez got Kramer Robertson to ground out that ended the inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the ninth inning, Eric Orze was the new Mets pitcher. He got two quick outs before allowing two singles to Will Toffey and Dustin Peterson. Then, Donny Sands made it a one-run game with a three-run home run to left field, 5-4.
After Orze walked Josh Ockimey, Orze was replaced by Joe Zanghi. Zanghi got Edgar Cabral to ground out that ended the game, and the IronPigs lost 5-4. The loss drops the IronPigs to 42-36, and They lose the series 4-2. Meanwhile, the Mets are now 32-45 for the season.
The win went to Mets pitcher Michel Otanez (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Johnathan Hennigan, his first loss of the year.
The IronPigs return to Coca-Cola Park tonight to start a six-game series with Rochester Red Wings at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased at StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise at Fanatics.com.
