On Friday night at Harbor Park, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs took on the Norfolk Tides in game four of the series. The IronPigs were looking to keep the momentum going after ending a three-game losing streak on Thursday.
Lehigh Valley came into the game a half-game behind Durham for first place in the International League East Division. Two transactions took place after the game on Thursday as catcher Donny Sands and pitcher Vinny Nittoli were called up to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Michael Plassmeyer (5-2, 2.70 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while Norfolk started Matt Harvey (5-1, 4.84 ERA).
IronPigs starter Michael Plassmeyer started the bottom of the first inning by hitting Colton Cowser. Two batters later, Tides’ shortstop Joseph Ortiz singled to right field, and Dalton Guthrie went to retrieve the ball, and it got by him, allowing Cowser and Ortiz to move up. Lately, the IronPigs have been having fielding issues that have led to scoring opportunities for opposing teams.
Two batters later, Tides’ catcher Jacob Nottingham doubled on a line drive to center field, scoring Cowser and Ortiz to take a 2-0 lead with two outs. Plassmeyer got Kelvin Gutierrez to ground out, ending the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the third inning, IronPigs’ starter Michael Plassmeyer walked Colton Cowser. Two batters later, Joseph Ortiz doubled to left field, scoring Cowser for a 3-0 lead. Plassmeyer walked Jacob Nottingham with two outs before getting Kelvin Gutierrez to ground into a forceout at second base, ending the inning.
Plassmeyer went two more innings, finishing the game going five innings, three hits, three runs, two earned runs, two walks, two hit batters, and five strikeouts in 94 pitches.
IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey doubled on a line drive to center field to start the top of the sixth inning. It was the first time in the game that Lehigh Valley had a runner in scoring position.
Then, IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall walked, and Johan Camargo walked with one out, loading the bases for Chris Sharpe. Unfortunately, Chris Sharpe popped out, and Rafael Marchan grounded out, ending the inning.
Jack Perkins was the new IronPigs pitcher to start the bottom of the sixth inning. Perkins gave up a walk to Yusniel Diaz with two outs and a single to Jonathan Arauz before getting Cadyn Grenier to fly out, ending the inning.
IronPigs’ right fielder Dalton Guthrie doubled on a line drive to left field with two outs at the top of the seventh inning, but Will Toffey struck out swinging, ending the inning.
IronPigs pitcher Jack Perkins gave up a single to Colton Cowser to start the bottom of the seventh inning. Two batters later, Perkins gave up another single to Joseph Ortiz, moving Cowser to second base with one out. Then, Perkins loaded the bases after walking Tyler Nevin and was replaced by Michael Kelly.
Two batters later, with two outs, Kelly gave up a two-run single to Kelvin Gutierrez that went to center field, giving Norfolk some insurance runs, 5-0. The runs were charged to Perkins, and his final stats were 1.1 innings, three hits, two runs, two earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout in 43 pitches. Then, Kelly got Yusniel Diaz to fly out, ending the inning.
IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall started the top of the eighth inning with a walk. Four batters later, with runners on first and second base, Rafael Marchan grounded out towards Norfolk second baseman Jordan Westburg, ending the inning.
Ryan Watson closed out the game for the Tides at the top of the ninth inning. Watson pitched the previous two innings. He gave up a single to Daniel Robertson, followed by walking Scott Kingery with Dalton Guthrie coming to the plate.
Then, Guthrie ended the shutout with an RBI double to left field, scoring Robertson, and trailed 5-1. It was Guthrie’s 27th double of the season. The Tides replaced Watson with Logan Gillaspie with no outs. IronPigs’ third baseman Will Toffey was next and hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kingery, and it was now 5-2.
IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall was next. He doubled on a fly ball to center field, scoring Guthrie, and suddenly it was a two-run game, 5-3. Unfortunately, Josh Ockimey flew out to center field, and Johan Camargo struck out swinging, ending the game. The IronPigs’ comeback attempt came up short with a 5-3 loss.
The IronPigs had seven hits in the game and dropped to 69-57 on the season. Norfolk pitcher Matt Harvey was the winning pitcher. It was his sixth win of the season, while Michael Plassmeyer lost his third game of the year. Meanwhile, Durham swept their doubleheader on Friday, and the IronPigs are now two games behind for first place.
While the comeback attempt was admirable, you can’t play from behind. Chances are you’re not going to win the game, especially with four weeks left of the season. Every win counts from here on out.
The series continues today at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise at Fanatics.com.
