On Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Gwinnett Stripers in game five of the series. The IronPigs have won three of four against Gwinnett and were looking to get the series win with one game to go.
Heading into this game, the IronPigs were tied with the Durham Bulls for first place in the International League East Division. One transaction happened before the game as the Philadelphia Phillies activated outfielder Brandon Marsh from the 10-day injured list. Marsh played the last couple of games for the IronPigs.
Michael Plassmeyer (4-2, 2.83 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Stripers started Mike Soroka (0-0, 2.45 ERA).
IronPigs pitcher Michael Plassmeyer started the top of the first inning by giving up a double to Orlando Arcia and a single by Hernan Perez. Pat Valaika was next and singled to center field, scoring Arcia to take a 1-0 lead with one out. Then, Plassmeyer got Rylan Bannon to fly out and struck out Taylor Motter, ending the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the second inning, IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Peterson started the inning with a single, followed by a walk for Josh Ockimey. Next was IronPigs’ third baseman, Johan Camargo. He singled on a sharp ground ball to right field, scoring Peterson that tied the game, 1-1.
Two batters later, the bases were loaded for Jorge Bonifacio. He drove Ockimey home with a sacrifice fly to right field for a 2-1 lead. IronPigs’ second baseman Ali Castillo was next. He singled to center field, scoring Camargo for a 3-1 lead with Dalton Guthrie coming to the plate.
Guthrie grounded the ball that nearly went by second baseman Hernan Perez. However, he hustled to get the ball in time and threw it over to first baseman Rylan Bannon. Then, after Rylan Bannon caught the ball, he quickly threw it over to third baseman Joe Dunand to get Ali Castillo out for the double play, ending the inning. Rafael Marchan scored just before Castillo was out at third base, extending the IronPigs lead 4-1.
Meanwhile, IronPigs starter Michael Plassmeyer did a great job after giving up a run in the first inning. For the next five innings, he allowed two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Plassmeyer went six innings, allowing five hits, one run, one earned run, two walks, and six strikeouts in 104 pitches. Erik Miller took over at the top of the seventh inning.
Miller struck out Hendrik Clementina before giving up a home run to Joe Dunand that went over the wall at left field, cutting the IronPigs’ lead, 4-2. Then, Miller walked Delino DeShields and Orlando Arcia.
Hernan Perez was next, and he popped out, and Pat Valaika grounded into a forceout at second base, ending the inning. That was it for Miller, who went an inning, allowing a hit, one run, two walks, and one strikeout in 24 pitches.
Brian Marconi was the new IronPigs pitcher at the top of the eighth inning. Marconi walked Taylor Motter with one out, then gave up a single to Hendrik Clementina with two outs, and Joe Dunand up to bat. Dunand flew out to right fielder Jorge Bonifacio, retiring the side.
Nick Duron closed out the game for the IronPigs at the top of the ninth inning. He threw 14 pitches to strike out the side as the IronPigs beat the Stripers 4-2. The IronPigs had seven hits in the game and improved to 68-54 on the season. The IronPigs are now in sole possession of first place after the Durham Bulls lost to the Nashville Sound 3-2.
The win went to IronPigs starter Michael Plassmeyer. It was his fifth win of the year, and the loss went to Stripers starter Mike Soroka, his first loss of the season.
The IronPigs finish the six-game series today at 1:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
