The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (51-47,15-10) and the Syracuse Mets (42-57, 9-16) played game five of a six-game series on Saturday night from Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs trailed the series 3-1.
Before the game started, the Philadelphia Phillies recalled RHP Noah Song from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the 60-day injured list before designating him for assignment.
T.J. Zeuch (4-4, 4.66 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley making his 14th start of the season against Syracuse’s Tylor Megill (0-3, 10.29 ERA).
At the top of the first inning with two outs, T.J. Zeuch walked Luke Voit, Jonathan Arauz, and Luke Ritter to load the bases for Carlos Cortes. Cortes hit a fly ball to left field in front of Dustin Peterson scoring two runs that made it 2-0 Syracuse.
Next, Zeuch got Nick Meyer to ground out softly toward him, and Zeuch threw the ball to first baseman Darick Hall which ended the inning.
Moving to the bottom of the third inning, Jordan Qsar put the ball down for a base hit to right field. Next, Tylor Megill walked Dustin Peterson with nobody out for Esteban Quiroz. Quiroz hit the ball for a double on a sharp line drive to right field. Jordan Qsar rounded third base to score and it was now 2-1 Syracuse. It was Quiroz’s 14th double of the season.
Simon Muzziotti was next with runners on second and third base. Muzziotti hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Rafael Ortega and Quiroz scored from third base. The game was tied 2-2. Weston Wilson was called out on strikes and Darick Hall grounded out toward first baseman Luke Voit which ended the inning.
At the top of the fifth inning, T.J. Zeuch walked Luke Voit with two outs before striking out Jonathan Arauz which ended the inning. That was it for Zeuch, he pitched five innings, allowing three hits, two runs, five walks, and five strikeouts in 90 pitches, of which 53 were strikes.
Brett Schulze was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher at the top of the sixth inning. He gave up a single to Luke Ritter, followed by a double to Carlos Cortes which moved Ritter to third base.
Two batters later with one out, he walked Michael Perez that loaded the bases for Branden Fryman. Fryman grounded out softly toward shortstop Weston Wilson, who made the throw to first baseman Darick Hall for the second out. Luke Ritter scored and Syracuse regained a 3-2 lead. Schulze struck out Rafael Ortega for the final out of the inning.
Moving to the top of the eighth inning, Taylor Lehman was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher. He gave up a single to Luke Ritter before getting Carlos Cortes to ground into a double play. Then, he got Nick Meyer to fly out toward right fielder Jordan Qsar for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Syracuse pitcher Josh Walker walked Jordan Qsar before Dustin Peterson doubled to left field which move Qsar to third base. It was Peterson’s ninth double of the year. Three batters later with two outs, Syracuse intentionally walked Weston Wilson which loaded the bases for Darick Hall.
Hall put the ball down for a base hit to left field which brought home Qsar and Peterson for a 4-3 lead. The Mets changed pitchers with Stephen Ridings in for Josh Walker. Ridings struck out Aramis Garcia which ended the inning.
Tyler McKay closed out the game for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. He gave up a single to Abraham Almonte with one out. After striking out Rafael Ortega, Ronny Mauricio was the Mets’ last hope. On a 1-2 count, McKay threw a changeup and Mauricio missed it for the final out of the game. The IronPigs come from behind to beat the Mets by the final score of 4-3.
This was a nice win for the IronPigs considering what has happened these last two games. They did not quit on each other and were able to come away with the win.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with five hits, went 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position, and left three men on base. Lehigh Valley pitcher Taylor Lehman won his first game of the season, and Syracuse pitcher Josh Walker lost his second game of the season.
The IronPigs will have a chance to split the series on Sunday at 1:35 pm on MiLB.com. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
