The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (22-23) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday morning on Education Day to start a two-week homestand. They took on the Buffalo Bisons (22-24), who came into this game on a two-game winning streak and 8-2 in their last ten games.
For the IronPigs, they came into this game 3-7 in their last ten games, including winning two in Worcester last week. Cristopher Sanchez (0-2, 6.08 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Buffalo’s Luke Bard (2-0, 4.50 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, Sanchez gave up a single to Rafael Lantigua, followed by walking Tyle Heineman. Two batters later with one out, Spencer Horwitz singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Lantigua and Heineman for a 2-0 Buffalo lead. Sanchez picked up the last two outs to retire the side.
In the bottom of the first inning, Buffalo pitcher Luke Bard walked center fielder Jake Cave. Simon Muzziotti was next and he doubled on a line drive to right field, moving Cave to third base with Drew Ellis stepping up to the plate. Ellis hit Bard’s fastball into right field, scoring Cave and Muzziotti for a two-run double, tying the game 2-2.
Two batters later with one out, Lehigh Valley right fielder Jordan Qsar crushed Bard’s fastball that sailed over the wall at right field for a two-run home run, putting the IronPigs up 4-2. It was Qsar’s eighth home run of the season and the home run went 114 mph off the bat and sailed 440 ft. Lehigh Valley did not score any more runs in the inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the third inning, Cristopher Sanchez gave up a double to Davis Schneider with one out. Spencer Horwitz was next. He hit a single on a ground ball to center field, scoring Schneider and it was now a one-run game 4-3 for Lehigh Valley. Sanchez escaped the inning when Wynton Bernard grounded into a double play which ended the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, Kyle Johnston was pitching for Buffalo. He faced Lehigh Valley shortstop Weston Wilson. Wilson hit Johnston’s changeup for a solo home run to right field, getting the run back for Lehigh Valley for a 5-3 lead. It was Wilson’s 12th home run of the season. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, the IronPigs picked up an insurance run when Jake Cave hit an opposite-field home run into the stands at left field for a 6-3 lead with nobody out. It was Cave’s fifth home run of the season. Lehigh Valley did not score any more runs in the inning.
Luis Ortiz closed out the game for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. He walked Rafael Lantigua before striking out Tyler Heineman. Davis Schneider was next and he grounded toward third baseman Drew Ellis to complete the double play and the IronPigs beat the Bisons by the final score of 6-3. Lehigh Valley is now 4-6 in their last ten games and 9.5 games back behind Norfolk for first place in the International League East Division.
Lehigh Valley finished the afternoon with eight hits, 2-8 with runners in scoring position, and left five men on base. Lehigh Valley pitcher Cristopher Sanchez earned his first win of the season. He pitched five innings, allowing six hits, three runs, three walks, and two strikeouts in 90 pitches, of which 55 were strikes. In addition, Lehigh Valley pitcher Luis Ortiz earned his second save of the season, and the loss went to Buffalo pitcher Luke Bard.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game two on Wednesday at 6:45 pm on MiLB.com. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
