The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (32-30) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday night to start a six-game homestand against the Toledo Mud Hens (27-36). This was the first meeting of the season between these two teams.
Before the game started, the Philadelphia Phillies recalled RHP Luis Ortiz and sent RHP Yunior Marte back to Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley was short on relief pitchers tonight. Bailey Falter (2-0, 4.32 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Toledo’s Jack O’Loughlin (1-1, 3.86 ERA). Lehigh Valley had to limit Falter due to the potential that the Phillies might bring him back to Philadelphia. He was scheduled to pitch three innings for 50 pitches.
Falter did not get off to a good start at the top of the first inning when he gave up back-to-back home runs to Parker Meadows and Justyn-Henry Malloy for a 2-0 Toledo lead. Afterward, Falter picked up the three outs which ended the inning.
At the top of the second inning, Falter walked former Lehigh Valley catcher Donny Sands. Two batters later with one out, Toledo extended their lead to 4-0 on a two-run home run by Michael Papierski into the Lehigh Valley bullpen at left field. Falter gave up a single to Corey Joyce and that was it for him as he was replaced by Jesus Cruz.
Falter finished the game pitching 1.1 innings, allowing four hits, four runs, and one walk in 28 pitches, of which 17 were strikes. Jesus Cruz struck out Parker Meadows while Rafael Marchan got Joyce at second base to complete a strikeout double play that retired the side.
Toledo second baseman Andre Lipcius started the top of the fourth inning with a double to center field. Two batters later, Jesus Cruz gave up a single to Joe Rizzo to center field, scoring Lipcius for a 5-0 lead. After walking Michael Papierski and getting Corey Joyce to fly out, Jesus Cruz was replaced by Jeremy Walker. Walker walked Parker Meadows before getting Justyn-Henry Malloy to fly out which retired the side.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley battled back. Weston Wilson started the inning hitting a triple to left field. Next, Cristian Pache brought Wilson home with an RBI single to left field, cutting Toledo’s lead to 5-1. Two batters later with one out, Jack O’Loughlin walked Rafael Marchan.
Two batters later with two outs, Jim Haley grounded toward third baseman Justyn-Henry Malloy but he threw the ball wide to first baseman Michael Papierski and Pache scored. Haley was credited with an RBI single. It was now 5-2 Toledo.
Jake Cave was next. He singled on a sharp line drive to center field, scoring Marchan and Haley, and all of a sudden, it was a one-run game 5-4. Lehigh Valley could not keep the momentum going as Drew Ellis struck out swinging which ended the inning.
At the top of the seventh inning, Trey Cobb pitched for Lehigh Valley. He gave up a double to Tyler Nevin to start the inning. Next, Nick Solak doubled on a line drive to right field, scoring Nevin that made it 6-4. With the run scored, Trey Cobb’s scoreless streak ended in nine innings.
Three batters later, Cobb walked Joe Rizzo, followed by an RBI single from Michael Papierski to center field making it 7-4. Cobb struck out Corey Joyce which ended the inning.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley faced Toledo pitcher Matt Wisler. Jake Cave was first to face Wisler and singled to left field. Three batters later, Matt Wisler walked Weston Wilson with Cristian Pache approaching the plate. Pache tied the game hitting Wisler’s fastball over the wall at left field, tying the game 7-7. It was Pache’s first home run of the season. Dustin Peterson was next but popped out which ended the inning.
Jace Vines was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher to start the top of the ninth inning. Andre Lipcius was the first to face Vance and he singled on a line drive to right field but advanced to second base on a fielding error by Dustin Peterson. Two batters later with one out, Joe Rizzo singled to center field, scoring Lipcius to give Toledo an 8-7 lead. Vance got the last two outs to end the inning.
The IronPigs had one more shot in the bottom of the ninth inning against Sam Clay. Clay got Rafael Marchan to ground out, followed by back-to-back strikeouts from Scott Kingery and Jim Haley that ended the game. Lehigh Valley lost to Toledo by the final score of 8-7.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with 13 hits, committed one error, went 4 of 6 with runners in scoring position, and left three men on base. Jace Vines lost his first game for the IronPigs, while Matt Wisler won his fourth game of the year, and Sam Clay earned his first save of the season.
The IronPigs and Mud Hens play game two on Wednesday at 7:05 pm on MiLB.com. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
