On Sunday evening, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs concluded a 12-game homestand with the series finale against the Charlotte Knights. The IronPigs came into this game tied for second place International League East Division with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and were one game behind the Durham Bulls for first place.
Before the game started, there were several transactions. First, the Phillies traded IronPigs starter, Ricardo Sanchez to the Detroit Tigers for cash. Then, the IronPigs activated second baseman Daniel Robertson from the 7-day injured list and left-hand pitcher Zach Warren. Colton Eastman (0-5, 6.28 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Knights started Tanner Banks (0-1, 1.93 ERA).
After two scoreless innings, the action picked up in the bottom of the third inning. Parker Markel was the new Knights pitcher. It was the third pitcher used by Charlotte, and IronPigs’ second baseman Ali Castillo was up to face him. Markel walked Castillo, and catcher Jack Conley made a sacrifice bunt to move Castillo over to second base.
IronPigs’ right fielder Dalton Guthrie was up next. He singled on a soft ground ball to third baseman Jake Burger and moved Castillo to third base for Yairo Munoz. Munoz grounded into a forceout as Guthrie was out at second base, and Munoz beat the throw at first base. Furthermore, Castillo scored, and the IronPigs led 1-0. Johan Camargo was up next and flied out to center field, ending the inning.
James Marvel was the new IronPigs pitcher at the top of the fourth inning. Colton Eastman did a good job, pitching three innings, with no hits, one walk, and six strikeouts in 40 pitches. Marvel pitched one inning with no hits, no runs, one walk, and one strikeout in 15 pitches.
Bubby Rossman replaced Marvel at the top of the fifth inning and pitched two innings with no hits, no runs, one walk, and one strikeout in 22 pitches.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, IronPigs’ third baseman Yairo Munoz hit his sixth home run of the year that went into the Capital Lawn at left-center field for a 2-0 lead with two outs. Johan Camargo grounded out, ending the inning.
Andrew Vasquez was the new IronPigs pitcher at the top of the seventh inning. He got Mark Payton to fly out, Yolbert Sanchez to ground out, and struck out Adam Haseley, that retired the side.
Nick Duron pitched for the IronPigs at the top of the eighth inning. He gave up a double to Romy Gonzales with one out. After striking out Blake Rutherford, Duron was called for a balk, moving Gonzales to third base. Then, Tyler Neslony singled, cutting the IronPigs lead 2-1 with two outs. Neslony attempted to steal second base, but Nick Conley gunned him down, ending the inning. It was Conley’s second player he got out trying to steal second base.
Dan Winkler was the new Knights pitcher in the bottom of the eighth inning. Dalton Guthrie doubled to left field. It was his 21st double of the season. Three batters later, Dustin Peterson doubled to left field, scoring Guthrie for a 3-1 lead with two outs. IronPigs’ designated hitter Josh Ockimey struck out that ended the inning.
Tyler Cyr closed out the game for the IronPigs at the top of the ninth inning. He walked Zach Remillard before getting Nick Ciuffo to ground into a double play. Finally, Cyr struck out Mark Payton, and the IronPigs split the series with a 3-1 win. The IronPigs had four hits in the game.
The IronPigs improved to 61-50 and are in sole possession of second place after the Durham Bulls beat the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 11-8. The IronPigs pitchers did a good job and allowed two hits in the game.
The win went to IronPigs pitcher James Marvel. It was his fourth win of the year, while the loss went to Parker Markel for his second loss of the season.
The IronPigs are back on the road for a six-game series against the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise at Fanatics.com.
