The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (50-46, 14-10) and the Syracuse Mets (42-56, 9-15) played game four of a six-game series on Friday night from Coca-Cola Park. Due to the completion of Thursday night’s game, the game was played in seven innings. The IronPigs trail the series 2-1.
Before the game, the Philadelphia Phillies made several transactions. First, they released RHP Trey Cobb and Jesus Cruz. Next, they transferred LHP Michael Plassmeyer and Eric Uelmen to the 60-day injured list and moved RHP Jeremy Walker to the development list.
Bailey Falter (2-0, 4.19 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley making his 11th start of the season against Syracuse’s David Griffin (2-4, 6.51 ERA). In the bottom of the first inning, Weston Wilson and Darick Hall both hit singles with one out. However, Drew Ellis grounded toward shortstop Jonathan Arauz for an inning-ending double play.
After three scoreless innings, Syracuse struck first at the top of the fourth inning. Bailey Falter walked Ronny Mauricio with Luke Voit up next. Falter threw a fastball at Voit and he crushed it for a two-run home run over the wall at center field.
It was 2-0 Syracuse and Voit’s sixth straight home run. Two batters later with one out, Falter gave up a single to Jonathan Arauz followed by walking Luke Ritter. Falter got out of the inning when Jose Peraza grounds out toward shortstop Weston Wilson and struck out Tomas Nido which ended the inning. That was it for Falter, who pitched four innings, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks, and five strikeouts in 67 pitches, of which 39 were strikes.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley first baseman Nick Podkul hit a double on a pop-out toward shortstop Jonathan Arauz with two outs. Then, Cal Stevenson put the ball down for a base hit to left field. Podkul tried to score from second base but left fielder Ronny Mauricio threw a laser toward catcher Tomas Nido to tag out Podkul which ended the inning.
Tyler McKay was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the fifth inning. McKay gave up a single to Ronny Mauricio with two outs before striking out Luke Voit which ended the inning. McKay threw 18 pitches, of which 11 were strikes.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, John Curtiss was the new Syracuse pitcher. Jim Haley was the first to face Curtiss. Curtiss threw a low fastball and Haley hit for a solo home run over the wall at left field. It was Haley’s seventh home run of the season and 36th RBI of the year. It was now 2-1 Syracuse. Curtiss struck out Scott Kingery, Kody Clemens, and Weston Wilson that ended the inning.
Ben Bowden pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the sixth inning. Bowden walked Abraham Almonte. Three batters later with two outs, Jose Peraza singled on a soft ground ball toward pitcher Ben Bowden. Next, Tomas Nido put the ball down for a base hit to left field which brought home Almonte for a 3-1 lead.
After walking Nick Meyer, Rafael Ortega hit the ball toward second baseman Jim Haley, who bobbled the ball and no one was covering first base as Ortega reached first base on a fielder’s choice. Jose Peraza scored and it was now 4-1 Syracuse with two outs.
An error was charged to Haley. Bowden got Ronny Mauricio to ground toward second baseman Jim Haley, who stepped on the second base bag for the forceout which ended the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley cut the deficit. Darick Hall started the inning with a single to right field. Two batters later with one out, John Curtiss walked Rafael Marchan before Syracuse changed pitchers with Jeff Brigham in for Curtiss.
Brigham hit Nick Podkul which loaded the bases for Cal Stevenson. Podkul was injured after the hit and Simon Muzziotti replaced him at first base. Brigham walked Stevenson which forced Darick Hall home. It was now 4-2 Syracuse.
Jim Haley was next. He popped out toward second baseman Luke Ritter. Then, Ritter went to throw the ball but spiked it with Marchan scoring from third base. It was now 4-3 Syracuse. Scott Kingery had a chance to keep the inning going but he flies out toward center fielder Rafael Ortega which ended the inning.
Connor Brogdon was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher at the top of the seventh inning. He gave up a double to Luke Voit, followed by an Abraham Almonte two-run home run off a sign at right field which restored a two-run lead for the Mets 6-3.
Two batters later, Brogdon gave up a single to Luke Ritter and later walked Tomas Nido with two outs. He got Nick Meyer to fly out toward right fielder Cal Stevenson which ended the inning.
Lehigh Valley had one more chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sean Reid-Foley was the new Syracuse pitcher. Kody Clemens grounds out toward second baseman Luke Ritter, who threw the ball to first baseman Jose Peraza for the first out.
Then, Reid-Foley struck out Weston Wilson, followed by a fly out from Darick Hall to left fielder Ronny Mauricio, who made the catch that ended the game. The IronPigs lose to the Mets by the final score of 6-3.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with eight hits, went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and left six men on base. Bailey Falter lost his first game of the season for Lehigh Valley, and John Curtiss won his first game for Syracuse.
The IronPigs and Mets play game five on Saturday at 6:35 pm on MiLB.com. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
