On Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Charlotte Knights in game three of the series. The IronPigs were looking to rebound after losing 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The IronPigs were looking to stay tied with either Jacksonville or Durham for first place in the International League East Division. The Jumbo Shrimp and Bulls are playing each other this week.
Kent Emanuel (2-1, 2.70 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Knights started Jason Bilous (0-0, 3.38 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, IronPigs’ second baseman Yairo Munoz hit a double to center field with one out. After IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey struck out, third baseman Johan Camargo walked. Unfortunately, Dalton Guthrie grounded out to end the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the third inning, IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey crushed a solo home run over the roof of the KLYR Bar in right field for a 1-0 lead with two outs. Johan Camargo was up next but struck out to end the inning.
IronPigs starter Kent Emanuel was fantastic in this game. He went seven innings, allowing four hits, no runs, no walks, and eight strikeouts in 80 pitches. Sam Coonrod was the new IronPigs pitcher at the top of the eighth inning.
Coonrod got Tyler Neslony to pop out, followed by a fly-out from Laz Rivera. Then, Coonrod gave up a single to Xavier Fernandez before getting Romy Gonzales, retiring the side.
Nick Duron was the new IronPigs pitcher at the top of the ninth inning. He gave up back-to-back singles to Yolbert Sanchez and Jake Burger. After striking out Blake Rutherford, Duron hit Micker Adolfo, loading the bases. Zach Remillard was up next for Charlotte. During his plate appearance, Duron threw a wild pitch, and the game was tied 1-1. Duron walked Remillard.
Tyler Neslony was up next. He singled on a ground ball to third baseman Ali Castillo, who threw the ball on his back, but everyone was safe, and Charlotte took a 2-1 lead with the bases loaded for Laz Rivera. Duron walked Rivera, forcing in a run 3-1. That was it for Duron, and Bubby Rossman replaced him. Rossman struck out Xavier Fernandez and Romy Gonzales to end the inning.
Once again, when you are protecting a one-run lead, you need your best pitcher out. Unfortunately, the IronPigs manager put Duron in a situation he should not have been in. That spot should’ve gone to either Tyler Cyr or Jakob Hernandez. This was the second straight game that the IronPigs could not hold a one-run lead.
Parker Markel was the new Knights pitcher. He walked Dalton Guthrie and Justin Williams. IronPigs’ first baseman Will Toffey was next to bat. He singled to center field, loading the bases. Then, Markel walked Scott Kingery, forcing in a run, 3-2. The Knights changed pitchers with Declan Cronin in for Markel.
IronPigs’ catcher Karl Ellison lined out, Simon Muzziotti grounded into a force-out, and Yairo Munoz grounded out to third base, ending the game. The IronPigs lost 3-2.
In other action, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp beat the Durham Bulls 5-4 to take sole possession of first place, and the IronPigs are tied with the Durham Bulls for second place at 59-49.
This was a disappointing game for the IronPigs. They had this game won and blew it because of a manager error. In addition, the IronPigs batters had a chance to win the game, and no one could not bring home two runs. These types of games are detrimental to the IronPigs playoff push. They can’t lose these types of games. Good teams know how to find ways to win.
The win went to Knights pitcher Anderson Severino. It was his second win of the season, and the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Nick Duron, his fifth loss of the year.
The IronPigs will look to bounce back in game four tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
