On Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs were looking to get back into the winning column after losing two straight games against the Durham Bulls.
Cristopher Sanchez (2-0, 2.48 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Bulls started Easton McGee (4-5, 4.68 ERA).
In the bottom of the second inning, Bulls’ second baseman Xavier Edwards reached first base on a fielding error by Nick Maton after he bobbled the ball. It was Maton’s sixth error this season. Three batters later, Bulls’ right fielder Ryan Boldt was up to bat with two outs. He singled to left field, scoring Edwards for a 1-0 lead. Grant Witherspoon was up next for the Bulls, and Sanchez struck out Witherspoon to end the inning.
IronPigs’ second baseman Scott Kingery started the top of the third inning by striking out, with IronPigs’ center fielder Mickey Moniak up to bat. Moniak crushed McGee’s fastball that went into the seats at right field, tying the game 1-1. It was Moniak’s fifth home run of the season. IronPigs’ second baseman Jean Segura lined out, and shortstop Nick Maton flied out that ended the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fourth inning, IronPigs pitcher Cristopher Sanchez got Bulls’ catcher Ford Proctor to ground out. Then, Sanchez gave up a double to Jim Haley, followed by a two-run home over the monster wall at left field by Ryan Boldt for a 3-1 lead.
Next, Sanchez gave up a single to Grant Witherspoon, with Bulls’ shortstop Vidal Brujan coming to the plate. During Witherspoon’s at-bat, Witherspoon stole second base. Sanchez walked Brujan and was taken out of the game for JoJo Romero. Cristopher Sanchez went 3.2 innings, allowing four hits, four runs, three walks, and three strikeouts in 74 pitches.
Romero gave up a single to Miles Mastrobuoni with Jonathan Aranda coming to bat. Aranda singled to right field, scoring Brujan for a 4-1 lead. The run was charged to Sanchez. Finally, Romero got Ruben Cardenas to fly out that retired the side. Romero went 0.1 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, no walks, and no strikeouts.
Moving to the bottom of the fifth inning, Ryan Sherriff was the new IronPigs pitcher. Bulls’ first baseman Jim Haley was up to bat with two outs. He hit a solo home run over the monster wall at left field for a 5-1 lead. After hitting Ryan Boldt, IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands gunned down Boldt, trying to steal second base for the final out of the inning.
The IronPigs had three hits, including Moniak’s home run in the first three innings. After that, they only had one hit for the rest of the game. Michael Kelly (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 13 pitches), Jonathan Hennigan (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 15 pitches), and Bubby Rossman (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 15 pitches) all worked one inning for Lehigh Valley.
Chris Muller closed out the game for the Bulls at the top of the ninth inning. He struck out Donny Sands and Josh Ockimey before walking Jorge Bonifacio. Finally, Muller struck out Will Toffey, ending the game, and the IronPigs lost 5-1.
It’s the IronPigs’ third straight loss to Durham. The IronPigs are now 52-45, and the Bulls are now 54-43. While they remain in third place, Buffalo and Worcester are quietly making their way back to the front. Lehigh Valley is a game up on Buffalo for third place.
Game five between the IronPigs and Bulls is tonight at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise at Fanatics.com.
