The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (25-25) concluded a six-game series with the Buffalo Bisons (24-27) on Sunday night from Coca-Cola Park. Coming into this game, the IronPigs led the series 3-2 and had an opportunity to win it against Buffalo.
Lehigh Valley went with a bullpen game to start with Luis Ortiz (0-0, 4.00 ERA) on the mound against Buffalo’s Drew Hutchison (2-2, 5.70 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, Ortiz gave up a single to Rafael Lantigua. Two batters later with one out, he hit Davis Schneider, moving Lantigua to second base. After striking out Spencer Horwitz for the second out, Wynton Bernard singled to center field, scoring Lantigua that gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead.
Rob Brantly was next. He singled on a ground ball to left field, scoring Schneider for a 2-0 lead. Then, Otto Lopez hit toward second baseman Esteban Quiroz who missed the ball and Bernard scored for a 3-0 lead. It was ruled a fielder’s choice so no RBI was credited to Lopez. Ortiz got LJ Talley to fly out toward Simon Muzziotti at left field for the final out of the inning.
That was it for Ortiz, who pitched one inning, allowing three hits, three runs, and one strikeout in 33 pitches, of which 20 were strikes. Then, Trey Cobb pitched at the top of the second inning without allowing a run.
In the bottom of the second inning, the IronPigs got one of the runs back when Jim Haley hit Hutchison’s fastball onto the berm at left-center field, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 3-1. It was Haley’s fourth home run of the season.
Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning. Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez pitched the top of the third inning without allowing a run.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fourth inning, Jordan Qsar started the inning by hitting Hutchison’s fastball at right field for a solo home run, making it 3-2 Buffalo. It was Qsar’s ninth home run of the season. The IronPigs had a chance to add runs with the bases loaded and two outs for Jake Cave but he flies out to center fielder Cam Eden which ended the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley pitcher Simon Muzziotti started the inning with a walk. Weston Wilson was next. During his at-bat, Muzziotti stole second base and Wilson’s fly out to center field allowed Muzziotti to move to third base.
Jordan Qsar was next and brought Muzziotti home with a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game 3-3 with two outs. Jim Haley grounded out that ended the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, the IronPigs took the lead. Jake Cave started the inning with a walk, followed by a single from Simon Muzziotti, moving Cave to third base. Two batters later with one out, Buffalo elected to walk Jay Jackson, loading the bases for Jim Haley. Haley singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Cave and Muzziotti for a 5-3 lead. Lehigh Valley could not add any more runs in the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Esteban Quiroz and Vimael Machin started the inning hitting back-to-back singles with Quiroz running to third base. Then, Buffalo catcher Rob Brantly missed a catch for a passed ball and Quiroz scored.
It was now 6-3 and Machin used his speed to reach third base. Next, a wild pitch scored Machin for a 7-3 lead. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
Erich Uelmen closed out the game for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. He allowed back-to-back singles with two outs before getting Wynton Bernard to ground out for the final out of the game. Lehigh Valley defeated Buffalo by the final score of 7-3.
The IronPigs finished the game with seven hits, committed one error, went 1-12 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on base.
Lehigh Valley pitcher Cristopher Sanchez won his second game of the season pitching six innings, allowing two hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts in 92 pitches, of which 54 were strikes. The loss went to Buffalo pitcher Jay Jackson. It was his third loss of the season.
Lehigh Valley continues its homestand on Tuesday against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 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.
