On Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Syracuse Mets in game two of the series. The IronPigs were unable to take sole possession of first place after Durham and Jacksonville won their games last night.
Michael Plassmeyer (2-2, 3.65 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs, while the Mets started Trevor Cahill (0-0,5.71 ERA).
IronPigs’ second baseman Jean Segura walked to start the bottom of the first inning. IronPigs’ third baseman Johan Camargo was up next, but he popped out, and catcher Donny Sands was coming to the plate. Donny Sands walked with Nick Maton up next. Maton singled to center field, loading the bases for Dalton Guthrie.
Unfortunately, Guthrie struck out, and right fielder Justin Williams came to the plate. Williams singled that just past the glove of Mets’ first baseman Daniel Palka and into right field, scoring Segura and Sands for a 2-0 lead.
IronPigs’ left fielder Chris Sharpe was next. During his plate appearance, Mets’ catcher Francisco Alvarez missed Trevor Cahill’s throw, and Maton scored for a 3-0 lead. Then, Sharpe singled on a line drive to right field, scoring Williams for a 4-0 lead. IronPigs’ first baseman Will Toffey was up next, but he flied out, ending the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, Rob Zastryzny was the new Mets pitch, and Johan Camargo was up first. Zastryzny walked Camargo, gave up a single to Donny Sands, and walked Nick Maton to load the bases for Dalton Guthrie.
Guthrie doubled off the wall at left field, scoring Camargo and Sands. Nick Maton tried to score but was tagged out, and the IronPigs led 6-0. After Justin Williams walked, the Mets made another pitching change with Jose Rodriguez in for Zastryzny. Rodriguez struck out Chris Sharpe and got Will Toffey ground into a forceout that ended the inning.
At the top of the sixth inning, IronPigs pitcher Michael Plassmeyer had a no-hitter. Unfortunately, Mets’ right fielder Travis Blankenhorn doubled that ended the no-hitter. Plassmeyer got Deven Marrero to line out and struck out Terrance Gore and Tzu-Wei Lin that, ended the inning.
At the top seventh inning, Mets’ catcher Francisco Alvarez hit a solo home run to left field, putting the Mets on the board 6-1. Plassmeyer got JT Riddle to the ground, followed by back-to-back singles from Nick Dini and Nick Plummer.
Finally, Plassmeyer struck out Gosuke Katoh and got Travis Blankenhorn to ground out, ending the inning. Plassmeyer was done and pitched a fantastic game. He went seven innings, allowing four hits, one run, no walks, and 11 strikeouts in 91 pitches. His 11 strikeouts are a new career high.
At the top of the eighth inning, Sam Coonrod was the new IronPigs pitcher. Coonrod went one inning, allowed one hit, no runs, no walks, and one strikeout in 19 pitches.
Tyler Cyr closed out the game at the top of the ninth inning. He walked JT Riddle before getting back-to-back strikeouts from Nick Dini and Nick Plummer. Finally, Cyr got Gosuke Katoh to ground out, ending the game, and the IronPigs won 6-1. After the Phillies game, they announced that pitcher Bailey Falter and Mark Appel are headed back to Lehigh Valley.
The IronPigs have won four straight games and remain in a three-way tie for first place at 56-45. The win went to IronPigs starter Michael Plassmeyer, his third win of the year, and the loss went to Mets starter Trevor Cahill (2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 2 SO).
The series continues with game three tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
