On Wednesday night at Sahlen’s Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Buffalo Bisons in game two of the series. The IronPigs came into this game tied for second place with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and two games out of the first place Durham Bulls.
Before the game started, the IronPigs activated left-hand pitcher Braeden Ogle from the 7-day injured list. Michael Plassmeyer (4-2, 3.06 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Bisons started Bowden Francis (5-8, 6.84 ERA).
IronPigs starter Michael Plassmeyer got off to a rocky start in the first two innings, loading the bases twice, but he found a way to get three outs without giving up a run.
IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie started the top of the third inning by getting hit at-bat, followed by a single from Yairo Munoz with no outs. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson was up next and grounded out. After IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey walked, Johan Camargo doubled to right field, scoring Guthrie and Munoz for a 2-0 lead.
Two batters later, Scott Kingery singled on a line drive to left field, scoring two more runs for a 4-0 lead with two outs. Buffalo made a pitching change with Eric Yardley, who struck out Ali Castillo to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Otto Lopez got the Bisons on the board with a single to right field after Dustin Peterson could not secure the ball, and it went by him, allowing a run to score that cut the IronPigs lead 4-1 with two outs. IronPigs starter Michael Plassmeyer got Nathan Lukes to fly out that retired the side. That was it for Plassmeyer, who did a good job going four innings, allowing three hits, one run, six walks, and four strikeouts in 87 pitches.
Adrian Hernandez was the new Bisons’ pitcher to start the top of the fifth inning. IronPigs’ left fielder Chris Sharpe singled with one out, followed by a Scott Kingery walk with Ali Castillo coming to the plate. He doubled to left field, scoring Sharpe for a 5-1 lead. Then, IronPigs’ catcher Jack Conley singled to left field, scoring Kingery, and Ali Castillo tried to score from first base but was out at home plate. The IronPigs lead was 6-1.
After Dalton Guthrie walked, the Bisons made another pitching change as Hayden Juenger took over for Hernandez. Yairo Munoz doubled to right field, scoring Conley for a 7-1 lead. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson was up next. He doubled to right field, scoring two more runs as the route was on 9-1.
IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey was next but walked, bringing up Johan Camargo. Camargo singled to center field, adding another run, 10-1. Next, Chris Sharpe was back up to bat. He doubled on a sharp line drive to left field, scoring two more runs for a 12-1 lead. Finally, Scott Kingery flew out, ending the inning.
Bubby Rossman was the new IronPigs pitcher in the bottom of the fifth inning and threw 15 pitches to get three outs. The IronPigs added three more runs at the top of the sixth inning. IronPigs’ designated hitter Yairo Munoz was up to bat with runners on first and second base with one out. He hit his second double of the night to center field, scoring two runs for a 14-1 lead. It was also the IronPigs’ sixth double of the night.
Dustin Peterson scored the IronPigs’ final run of the night with a single to center field, making it 15-1. After Josh Ockimey singled, Johan Camargo grounded into a double play, ending the inning.
Late in the game, the Bisons scored three runs, cutting the IronPigs’ lead. Francisco Morales closed out the game in the bottom of the ninth for the IronPigs, giving up two hits and one run as the IronPigs beat the Bisons 15-4. The IronPigs had 17 hits and improved to 62-51 on the season.
The IronPigs are back in sole possession of second place after the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp lost, while the Durham Bulls won, leading the IronPigs by two games for first place.
The other IronPigs pitchers that made appearances in the game were Braedon Ogle (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 7 pitches) and Erik Miller (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 21 pitches).
The win went to IronPigs pitcher Bubby Rossman (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 33 pitches). It was Rossman’s third win of the season, while the loss went to Bison’s starter, Bowden Francis. It was Francis’s ninth loss of the season.
The IronPigs continue the series today at 1:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
