The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (3-1) continued their six-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2-3). James McArthur was on the mound for the IronPigs against Randy Vazquez of the RailRiders.
At the top of the second inning with no outs and runners on first and second base, RailRiders’ catcher Rodolfo Duran hit a three-run home run on a fly ball to left field. The RailRiders took a 3-0 lead over the IronPigs. Later, a wild pitch by James McArthur made it 4-0.
In the bottom of the second inning with one out and runners on second and third base, IronPigs’ designated hitter Dustin Peterson singled on a ground ball to third. A throwing error by third baseman Andres Chaparro scored Jim Haley, cutting the RailRiders’ lead to 4-1. The IronPigs were unable to add any more runs after Simon Muzziotti grounded into a double play, ending the inning.
At the top of the third inning with two outs, IronPigs’ starter James McArthur gave up a double to Billy McKinney. That was his last batter faced. McArthur pitched 2.2 innings, allowing five hits, five runs, three walks, and two strikeouts in 63 pitches, of which 35 of them were strikes.
Ben Bowden was the new IronPigs pitcher. A batter later, Bowden gave up an RBI single to Rodolfo Duran on a ground ball to center field, scoring McKinney. It was now 5-1 RailRiders.
The inning got worse for Bowden. He was issued a balk, walked Wilmer Difo, and threw a wild pitch, moving a runner to third base. Then, RailRiders’ center fielder Elijah Dunham singled on a ground ball to second base, scoring another run for a 6-1 lead. Shortly after, Dunham got caught stealing second base that ended the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning with one out, IronPigs’ first baseman Jim Haley (1) hit a solo home run on a hanging breaking ball that went off the Capital Health sign at left field, cutting the RailRiders lead to 6-2. Afterward, the IronPigs were unable to add any more runs in the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning with the bases loaded, IronPigs’ second baseman Vimael Machin brought in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field. It was now 6-3 RailRiders. The IronPigs could not add any more runs in the inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second base. Rodolfo Duran doubled on a sharp line drive to left field, scoring Willie Calhoun but Billy McKinney tried to score and got caught in a rundown for the second out. The IronPigs did not score another run and the inning ended.
In the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs, IronPigs’ shortstop Weston Wilson (1) hit a solo home run on a fly ball to left field. It was now 7-4 RailRiders. The IronPigs could not add any more runs.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Greg Weissert closed out the game for the RailRiders. He struck out Jim Haley, Dustin Peterson, and Simon Muzziotti to end the game. The IronPigs’ three-game winning streak came to an end with a 7-4 loss to the RailRiders.
IronPigs pitcher James McArthur suffered his first loss of the season while the win went to Aaron McGarity and Greg Weissert earned his second save of the season.
The IronPigs and RailRiders play game three on Thursday at 6:45 pm. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo, and pickup IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
