The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (5-5) returned to Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Wednesday night against the Durham Bulls (4-6). Coming into this game, James McArthur (0-1, 16.88 ERA) was on the mound for the IronPigs against Durham’s Hector Perez (0-0, 4.50 ERA).
The IronPigs struck first at the top of the second period as Esteban Quiroz led off with a solo home run out to right-center field for a 1-0 lead. Lehigh Valley could not add any more runs in the inning.
In the second inning, IronPigs starter James McArthur gave up back-to-back singles to Rene Pinto and Kyle Manzardo before Ben Gamel crushed a three-run home run just clearing the monster wall at left-center field for a 3-1 lead. Two batters later with one out, McArthur threw a hanging curveball but Nick Dini sent the ball into oblivion out to left field for a 4-1 lead.
McArthur’s struggles continued when he gave up back-to-back walks but Lehigh Valley escaped without giving up another run. McArthur was done after the inning. He pitched two innings, allowing four hits, four runs, two walks, and three strikeouts in 52 pitches, of which 31 were strikes. Jeremy Walker replaced McArthur in the bottom of the third inning.
With one out, Walker threw a hanging slider as Kyle Manzardo pelted a home run out to right field for a 5-1 lead. Walker got the last two outs that ended the inning.
At the top of the fourth inning, Evan McKendry was the new Bulls pitcher. IronPigs’ shortstop Weston Wilson doubled on a line drive to left field with one out. Then, designated hitter Esteban Quiroz singled on a ground ball to second base.
Later, Evan McKendry threw a wild pitch, moving both runners to second and third place. After McKendry struck out Dustin Peterson, Jordan Qsar was next. Qsar singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Wilson and Quiroz. It was now 5-3 Bulls. The IronPigs could not keep the momentum going when John Hicks struck out which ended the inning.
Lehigh Valley struggled for the rest of the game. There were no more runs scored in the game. They were 2-6 with runners in scoring position and left three runners left on base in a 5-3 loss to the Durham Bulls.
IronPigs starter James McArthur lost his second game of the season, while the win went to Evan McKendry, who pitched 3.1 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, and three walks in 57 pitches, of which 40 of them were strikes.
The IronPigs and Bulls play game three on Thursday at 6:35 pm on MiLB.com. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo, and pickup IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
