The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (16-15) played a doubleheader on Saturday against the Syracuse Mets (15-17) from NBT Bank Stadium. Coming into this game, Lehigh Valley led the series 2-1 and were looking to start a new winning streak.
In game one, T.J. Zeuch (1-2, 5.55 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Syracuse’s Denyi Reyes (0-0, 10.80 ERA).
The Mets struck first in the bottom of the second inning when DJ Stewart hit a solo home run over the Salt City Deck building at right field for a 1-0 lead. T.J. Zeuch walked Michael Perez with two outs and got Khalil Lee to fly out that retired the side.
At the top of the fourth inning, the IronPigs tied the game. With two outs, Jake Cave and Weston Wilson both hit singles for Simon Muzziotti. Muzziotti hit Reyes’s low fastball into left field, scoring Cave that tied the game 1-1. It was the third straight single for Lehigh Valley. The inning ended when Dustin Peterson grounded into a forceout at second base.
Moving ahead to the top of the sixth inning, Syracuse pitcher Bubby Rossman hit Lehigh Valley first baseman Jim Haley with one out. Then, Rossman loaded the bases when he gave up a single to Jake Cave, followed by walking Weston Wilson for Simon Muzziotti.
Muzziotti singled on a slow roller toward second baseman Jonathan Arauz, scoring Haley for a 2-1 lead. It was Muzziotti’s second RBI of the game. Dustin Peterson was next and he brought Cave home with a sacrifice fly out to right field for a 3-1 lead.
After that, the Mets replaced Rossman with T.J. McFarland. Lehigh Valley designated hitter Jordan Qsar was next as he cleared the bases with a two-run triple toward the corner of right field for a 5-1 lead. It was Qsar’s second double of the season. John Hick grounded out that ended the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, T.J. Zeuch walked Jonathan Arauz with one out, followed by a single from Michael Perez, leading to a mound visit. Zeuch settled down and struck out Khalil Lee and got Carlos Cortes to fly out which ended the game. The IronPigs won game one by the final score of 5-1.
Lehigh Valley pitcher T.J. Zeuch pitched a complete game, going seven innings, allowing four hits, one run, three walks, and one strikeout in 94 pitches, of which 56 were strikes for his second win of the season. He even made a great defensive play in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The loss went to Syracuse pitcher Bubby Rossman. Lehigh Valley had seven hits, went 3-5 with runners in scoring position, and left four men on base.
In game two, Lehigh Valley went with a bullpen game. Jake Jewell (1-0, 3.86 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Syracuse’s David Griffin (2-0, 2.08 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, David Griffin walked Esteban Quiroz, followed by a Jim Haley single, moving Quiroz to second base. Then, Jake Cave moved Quiroz to third base with a fly out, and Weston Wilson was up to bat. During his at-bat, Jim Haley stole second base, while Quiroz stole home after Syracuse catcher Nick Meyer threw to second base. The IronPigs led 1-0. Wilson and Jordan Qsar walked, loading the bases for Jhailyn Ortiz.
Ortiz brought Haley home with a sacrifice fly to left field, making it 2-0. After Scott Kingery was hit, Vimael Machin had a chance to break the game open but he grounded out that ended the inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the sixth inning, Jordan Qsar singled to right field with one out. Two batters later, Scott Kingery hit a two-run home run clearing the wall at right field for a 4-0 lead with two outs. Vimael Machin’s flyout ended the inning.
Lehigh Valley’s bullpen game paid off. Jake Jewell pitched one inning, allowing one hit on 12 pitches, of which seven were strikes. The rest of the bullpen did not allow a hit for the rest of the game. Yunior Marte closed out the game for the IronPigs in the bottom of the seventh inning. He got the final three outs of the game and Lehigh Valley completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-0 win over the Syracuse Mets.
Lehigh Valley had five hits, went 0-4 with runners in scoring position, and left six runners on base. Lehigh Valley pitcher Ben Bowden earned his first win of the season pitching two innings, with no hits, one walk, and three strikeouts in 39 pitches, of which 24 were strikes. The loss went to Syracuse starter David Griffin. It was his first loss of the season.
The IronPigs conclude the 12-game road trip on Sunday against the Mets at 1:05 pm on MiLB.com. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
