On Sunday afternoon at Sahlen Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs wrapped up a six-game series with the Buffalo Bisons for the final time of the 2022 season. The IronPigs came into the game looking to split the series.
Before the game started, the Philadelphia Phillies called up pitcher Tyler Cyr while sending Bailey Falter back to Lehigh Valley. Bubby Rossman (3-1, 3.00 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Bisons started Thomas Hatch (7-5, 4.70 ERA).
The IronPigs defense did not get off to a good start in the bottom of the first inning. Spencer Horwitz was up at bat with Otto Lopez at first base. Lopez went to steal second base, and Rafael Marchan’s throw went past Ali Castillo and into right field, allowing Lopez to score for a 1-0.
IronPigs pitcher Bubby Rossman struck out Horwitz before giving up a single to Gabriel Moreno. After getting Nathan Lukes to line out, Rossman gave up back-to-back walks to Rafael Lantigua and Chavez Young. Then, he got LJ Talley to line out, ending the inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the third inning, IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey walked. Then, Daniel Robertson singled to center field, and Chavez Young’s throw got Ockimey out at third base, while Robertson went to second base.
After Ali Castillo grounded out, moving Robertson to third base, IronPigs’ center fielder Dalton Guthrie singled to left field, scoring Robertson that tying the game, 1-1. The IronPigs could not bring Guthrie home after Chris Sharpe struck out, ending the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, Bubby Rossman gave up a single to Rafael Lantigua with one out and was taken out of the game for Zach Warren. During Chavez Young’s plate appearance, Warren’s pitched got by Marchan, moving Lantigua to second, followed by a wild pitch, which moved Lantigua to third base before Warren walked Chavez.
LJ Talley was up next and grounded out to first baseman Josh Ockimey, who threw the ball over to Ali Castillo, covering first base for the out, but the Bisons took a 2-1 lead.
Bubby Rossman’s final stats were 2.1 innings, allowing four hits, two runs, four walks, and three strikeouts in 55 pitches. Then, Warren walked Cullen Large before getting Logan Warmouth to ground out, retiring the side.
At the top of the fourth inning, IronPigs’ designated hitter Dustin Peterson reached first base on a throwing error by Bisons’ shortstop Rafael Lantigua. Then, Johan Camargo singled to right field, moving Peterson to third base. Two batters later, IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan got Peterson home with a sacrifice fly to left field, tying the game 2-2.
IronPigs’ first baseman Josh Ockimey was up next. He hit a two-run opposite field home run to left field, giving Lehigh Valley a 4-2 lead. It was Ockimey’s seventh home run of the season. After Daniel Robertson singled, Ali Castillo lined out, ending the inning.
IronPigs pitcher Zach Warren walked Otto Lopez and Spencer Horwitz to start the bottom of the fourth inning before being pulled for Francisco Morales. Morales gave up a single to Gabriel Moreno before getting Nathan Lukes to ground out to Ali Castillo, scoring a run for Buffalo that made it a one-run game, 4-3.
Zach Warren’s final stats were 0.2 innings, with no hits, one run, and four walks in 30 pitches. Finally, Morales struck out Rafael Lantigua, ending the inning.
For the rest of the game, the IronPigs bullpen allowed three hits. Francisco Morales (2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 30 pitches), Michael Kelly (2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 28 pitches), and Nick Duron (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 16 pitches) all did a good job.
The IronPigs got an insurance run at the top of the ninth inning. Matt Gage was the new Bisons’ pitcher. He walked Daniel Robertson with two outs before giving up a single to Ali Castillo. Then, Dalton Guthrie singled to center field, scoring Robertson for a 5-3 lead. Finally, Chris Sharpe struck out, ending the inning.
Jakob Hernandez closed out the game for the IronPigs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Hernandez struck out Spencer Horwitz before hitting Gabriel Moreno. Finally, Nathan Lukes lined out to Daniel Robertson, who caught the ball and threw it to Ockimey for the double play and a 5-3 win. They had nine hits and committed two errors.
The IronPigs split the series and finished 7-11 against Buffalo this year. They improved to 64-53 and still remain in second place. The win went to IronPigs pitcher Zach Warren. It was his first win of the season, while Thomas Hatch lost his sixth game of the year. Jakob Hernandez earned his fifth save of the year.
The IronPigs return home to Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday to start a six-game series against the Gwinnett Stripers at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
