On Saturday night at Sahlen Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Buffalo Bisons in game four of the series. The IronPigs came into this game, trailing the Durham Bulls by one game for first place in the International League East Division.
Before the game, the Phillies called up starting pitcher Bailey Falter, who pitched for the Phillies in game two against the Mets. Colton Eastman (0-5, 5.83 ERA) was on the mound for the Phillies, while the Bisons started Bowden Francis (5-9, 6.90 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, IronPigs starter Colton Eastman gave up back-to-back singles to Spencer Horwitz and Gabriel Moreno with one out. Then, Eastman walked Zack Collins, loading the bases for Rafael Lantigua.
Unfortunately, Eastman walked Lantigua, putting Buffalo up 1-0. Finally, Eastman got Nathan Lukes to ground into a double play, ending the inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, IronPigs pitcher Colton Eastman gave up a solo home run to Yoshi Tsutsugo that went into the Bully Hill Vineyards Party Deck at right field for a 2-0 lead. Then, Eastman threw seven pitches to get the three outs. Eastman went one more inning and finished the night going three innings, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks, and no strikeouts in 47 pitches. James Marvel took over in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The IronPigs did not have a hit in this game until Daniel Robertson singled to right field at the top of the fifth inning. Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Marvel walked LJ Talley and gave up a single to Spencer Horwitz with one out for Gabriel Moreno. Moreno singled to right field, scoring Talley for a 3-0 lead.
After walking Zack Collins, Rafael Lantigua doubled on a line drive to center field, scoring two runs for a 5-0 lead. Marvel got Nathan Lukes to fly out, ending the inning. James Marvel went one more inning and finished the night pitching two innings, allowing five hits, three runs, two walks, and no strikeouts in 42 pitches.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, Daniel Robertson hit his third home run of the season to center field, cutting Buffalo’s lead 5-1 with two outs. Justin Williams struck out that ended the inning.
Braedon Ogle was the new IronPigs pitcher in the bottom of the seventh inning. He walked Zack Collins with one out, followed by a single from Rafael Lantigua, and walked Nathan Lukes, loading the bases for Yoshi Tsutsugo. He walked Tsutsugo, forcing in a run, 6-1. Ogle was taken out for Erik Miller, who got the last two outs to end the inning.
Buffalo put the game away in the bottom of the eighth inning when Rafael Lantigua hit a grand slam to center field for a 10-1 lead with one out. Nick Duron replaced Erik Miller and threw five pitches to get the last two outs.
Kyle Johnston closed out the game for Buffalo at the top of the ninth inning and threw 16 pitches to get the final three outs of the game, and the IronPigs lost 10-1. The IronPigs had four hits in the game, and Buffalo had 12 hits. The IronPigs are a game up on Buffalo for second place.
The win went to Buffalo pitcher Hayden Juenger. It was his second win of the season, and IronPigs pitcher Colton Eastman lost his sixth game of the year. He remains winless in 2022.
The IronPigs will look to split the season in their final meeting of the season today at 1:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise at Fanatics.com.
