Two hours after their shutout win in game one. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (4-3) returned to Coca-Cola Park to conclude a six-game homestand on Saturday evening against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (5-4).
Nick Allgeyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs against Nick Ramirez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) of the RailRiders.
Nick Allgeyer began the top of the first inning by hitting Michael Hermosillo. Three batters later with two outs, RailRiders’ second baseman Jamie Westbrook doubled on a ground ball to left field, scoring Hermosillo for a 1-0 RailRiders lead. Allgeyer struck out Jesus Bastidas to end the inning.
The IronPigs responded in the bottom of the second inning. IronPigs’ second baseman Esteban Quiroz was up with runners on second and third base. He grounded out toward Scranton first baseman Mickey Gasper and Weston Wilson scored, tying the game 1-1 with one out.
Then, IronPigs’ left fielder Dustin Peterson followed up with an RBI double to left field, scoring Jim Haley which put the IronPigs up 2-1. Lehigh Valley could not add any more runs in the inning.
IronPigs pitcher Nick Allgeyer pitched three innings, allowing one hit, one run, one walk, and four strikeouts in 52 pitches, of which 32 were strikes. Jeff Hoffman took over pitching duties for the IronPigs at the top of the fourth inning.
On a 3-2 count, RailRiders’ second baseman Jeff Westbrook crushed a solo home run on a fly ball to center field, tying the game 2-2. Hoffman was able to get the other three outs to end the inning. The IronPigs got back the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. After RailRiders’ pitcher, Deivi García walked Esteban Quiroz with one out, Dustin Peterson hit another RBI double, this time to right field scoring Quiroz for a 3-2 lead. Peterson was stranded as Lehigh Valley could not find a way to bring him home.
Hans Crouse was the new IronPigs pitcher to begin the top of the fifth inning. Crouse gave up a single to Rodolfo Duran to begin the inning. Two batters later with one out, Michael Hermosillo hit a two-run home run on a fly ball to left field, putting Scranton up 4-3.
Next, RailRiders’ designated hitter Andres Chaparro hit a home run at right field for a 5-3 lead. Crouse found a way to get the last two outs as Lehigh Valley trailed Scranton 5-3 after five innings.
The pitching cycle continued for the IronPigs at the top of the sixth inning when Jake Jewell replaced Hans Crouse. Jewell faced Billy McKinney to begin the inning. McKinny crushed a solo home run over the KLYR Rum Bar roof at right field for a 6-3 lead. After the home run, Jake Jewell walked Mickey Gasper.
Two batters later, Wilmer Difo singled on a ground ball to right field, scoring Gasper for a 7-3 lead but Difo tried to reach second base and the IronPigs got him out. Jewell was able to get the last out without any more damage.
IronPigs’ second baseman Esteban Quiroz started the bottom of the sixth inning with a double to right field. After Dustin Peterson grounded out, moving Quiroz to third base, IronPigs’ designated hitter Jordan Qsar grounded out to first baseman Mickey Gasper as Quiroz scored. It was now 7-4 with two outs. Unfortunately, Aramis Garcia grounded out to end the inning.
The IronPigs had one more shot in the bottom of the seventh inning. The RailRiders put James Norwood in to close the game. With one out, Dalton Guthrie hit a ground-rule double on a fly ball to left field.
Two batters later with two outs, IronPigs’ shortstop Weston Wilson doubled on a sharp line drive to center field, scoring Guthrie and it was now 7-5 RailRiders. However, the IronPigs were unable to tie the game after Esteban Quiroz struck out swinging and the IronPigs lost to the RailRiders by the final score of 7-5.
The win went to RailRiders pitcher Deivi García, while IronPigs pitcher Hans Crouse, who pitched one inning, allowing three hits, three runs, and one walk, suffered his first loss of the season. James Norwood of the RailRiders picked up his first save of the season. The IronPigs went 3-14 with runners in scoring position and left seven batters on base.
The IronPigs begin a six-game road trip at Durham Bulls Athletic Park against the Durham Bulls starting Tuesday at 11:05 am. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo, and pickup IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
