On Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Gwinnett Stripers in game two of a six-game series. The IronPigs came into this game, trailing by one game behind the Durham Bulls for first place in the International League East Division.
Before the game started, the IronPigs activated catcher Donny Sands from the 7-day injured list. In addition, the Phillies sent Michael Plassmeyer back to Lehigh Valley. Unfortunately, the IronPigs lost Tyler Cyr, who was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.
Colton Eastman (0-6, 5.84 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Stripers started Huascar Ynoa (5-6, 5.83 ERA).
IronPigs pitcher Colton Eastman threw 21 pitches to strike out the side at the top of the first inning. Then, he got into trouble at the top of the second inning by loading the bases. However, he came back to get three straight strikeouts, ending the inning.
That was it for Eastman, who went two innings, allowing one hit, no runs, two walks, and six strikeouts in 54 pitches. Zach Warren replaced Eastman at the top of the third inning.
Warren gave up a single to Hernan Perez, followed by a Taylor Motter two-run home run into the Stripers bullpen for a 2-0 lead. After loading the bases with one out, Warren was replaced by James Marvel. Marvel got Ryan Casteel to ground into a double play, ending the inning.
IronPigs’ shortstop Scott Kingery started the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run into the Capital Lawn at center field, cutting the Stripers’ lead, 3-1. Two batters later, Dalton Guthrie singled, followed by a Bryce Harper double with Darick Hall coming to the plate. Hall grounded to second baseman Hernan Perez, scoring Guthrie that made it a one-run game, 3-2. Finally, Dustin Peterson flew out that ended the inning.
IronPigs pitcher James Marvel started the top of the fifth inning by giving up a triple to center fielder Pat Valaika. Two batters later, with one out, Stripers’ third baseman Rylan Bannon brought Valaika home, extending Gwinnett’s lead, 4-2.
The inning ended when Marvel got Tyler White to ground out to Ali Castillo, who made the throw over to Darick Hall for the third out. Marvel went one more inning, and his final numbers were 3.2 innings, allowing two hits, one run, no walks, and two strikeouts in 51 pitches.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, IronPigs’ hitting coach Joe Thurston was ejected for arguing with the umpire after Darick Hall struck out. This game was more about the umpires performing a show rather than calling a game. Their questionable calls were too numerous to count. IronPigs’ right fielder Dustin Peterson and catcher Donny Sands struck out, ending the inning.
Erik Miller was the new IronPigs pitcher to start the top of the seventh inning. Before the inning started, IronPigs’ manager Anthony Contreras was ejected for questioning the calls in the last inning. Stripers’ left fielder Taylor Motter was up at-bat with one out. He hit a solo home run into the Stripers bullpen at left field for a 5-2 lead. Miller came back to get Pat Valaika to fly out and Alex Dickerson to strike out, which ended the inning.
Erik Miller gave up a walk and got two outs before being replaced by Nick Duron at the top of the eighth inning. Miller went 1.2 innings, allowing one hit, one run, one walk, and three strikeouts in 34 pitches. Duron got Greyson Jenista to fly out for the final out. Then, Francisco Morales pitched at the top of the ninth inning. He threw 11 pitches to get three outs.
The IronPigs had one more opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. They faced Michael Tonkin, who was the new Stripers pitcher. IronPigs’ catcher Donny Sands was first to face Tonkin, and he singled to right field. Then, Will Toffey singled, followed by Tonkin hitting Jorge Bonifacio, which loaded the bases for Scott Kingery.
Kingery singled to center field, scoring Sands that made it 5-3 with Ali Castillo coming to the plate. Castillo singled left field, scoring Will Toffey, but Chris Sharpe tried to score and was called out at home plate. The score was now 5-4 Stripers. After Dalton Guthrie struck out, Bryce Harper was the last hope.
On a 1-2 count, Harper hit a game-winning two-run double to left field that Taylor Motter nearly caught, and the IronPigs won the game 6-5. It was their fourth come-from-behind win this season. The IronPigs had 12 hits and improved to 66-53 for the season.
The IronPigs are now tied for first place after the Durham Bulls lost to the Nashville Sound 9-2. Bryce Harper went 3-5 with two RBIs. The win went to IronPigs pitcher Francisco Morales. It was his third win of the season, while the loss went to Stripers pitcher Michael Tonkin.
The series continues with game three tonight at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
