The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (59-50, 23-13) played game four of a six-game series on Friday night against the Rochester Red Wings (52-58, 18-19) from Innovative Field. The IronPigs lead the series 2-1. In this series, the IronPigs have scored 38 runs in three games.
There was one transaction that happened as the IronPigs released catcher John Hicks. He played 54 games for the IronPigs batting .211 with 26 runs, 38 hits, 12 doubles, three home runs, 23 RBIs, 19 walks, struck out 56 times, and 11 stolen bases in 180 at-bats.
Nick Nelson (4-2, 4.39 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley making his 13th start of the season against Rochester’s Wily Peralta (3-6, 5.94 ERA).
Lehigh Valley had a chance to score at the top of the third inning. With one out, Peralta walked Cal Stevenson with Max McDowell up to bat. During his at-bat, Stevenson stole second base McDowell struck out swinging. Kody Clemens had a chance to bring Stevenson home but he too struck out swinging which ended the inning.
At the top of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley’s offense went to work. With one out, Drew Ellis hit a single to right field, followed by back-to-back walks to Simon Muzziotti and Jim Haley with Esteban Quiroz up to bat.
Quiroz hit Peralta’s sinker for a base hit to left field. Drew Ellis and Simon Muzziotti scored to give Lehigh Valley a 2-0 lead. It was Quiroz’s 46th RBI of the season.
Scott Kingery was next and Peralta walked him with Cal Stevenson up to bat. On a 1-2 count, Peralta threw a changeup at Stevenson and he crushed it into Rochester’s bullpen at right field for a grand slam home run.
Lehigh Valley’s lead grew to 6-0. It was Stevenson’s fourth home run of the season and 15th RBI of the year. Including his time in Las Vegas, Stevenson has five home runs and 18 RBIs.
After Peralta struck out Max McDowell, Rochester changed pitchers. Amos Willingham was the new Rochester pitcher. Kody Clemens faced Willingham he hit Willingham’s sinker for his first triple of the season. Darick Hall was next with two outs. He flies out toward left field Travis Blankenhorn which ended the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Nick Nelson gave up a double to Cody Wilson. Next, Darren Baker moved Wilson to third base with a ground out toward shortstop Jim Haley, who threw the ball to first baseman Darick Hall. Luis Garcia was next.
He hit the ball toward shortstop Jim Haley, who threw the ball to first baseman Darick Hall while Wilson scored. Lehigh Valley’s lead was now 6-1. After giving up a single to Karter Kieboom, Nelson got Travis Blankenhorn to pop out toward shortstop Jim Haley which ended the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Nick Nelson was hoping to get through one more inning. With two outs, he gave up back-to-back singles to Jack Dunn and Richie Martin before being replaced by Luis Ortiz. Ortiz got Cody Wilson to ground out toward him before throwing the ball to first baseman Darick Hall which ended the inning.
Nick Nelson finished the night pitching a quality start going 6.2 innings, allowing five hits, one run, one walk, and three strikeouts in 98 pitches, of which 60 were strikes. Luis Ortiz pitched 1.1 innings. He did not allow a hit or run in 13 pitches, of which nine were strikes.
Lehigh Valley added insurance runs at the top of the ninth inning. Anthony Banda was pitching for Rochester. With one out, Scott Kingery put the ball down for a base hit. Two batters later, Max McDowell put the ball down for a double to left field. Scott Kingery raced his way around the third base bag and scored for a 7-1 lead. It was McDowell’s first RBI as an IronPig.
Kody Clemens was next. He hit a high fly ball toward left fielder Travis Blankenhorn. Blankenhorn missed the catch and McDowell scored for an 8-1 lead. Clemens was credited with a double. Next, Darick Hall grounded out toward second baseman Darren Baker, who threw the ball to first baseman Matt Adams which ended the inning.
Tyler McKay was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher in the bottom of the ninth inning. McKay gave up a single to Travis Blankenhorn, followed by walking Drew Millas. Next, he got Matt Adams to ground into a forceout at second base which moved Blankenhorn to third base.
Then, he struck out Jack Dunn with Richie Martin next. During Martin’s at-bat, McKay threw a wild pitch which brought home Blankenhorn that made it 8-2. McKay struck out Martin which ended the game. The IronPigs defeated the Red Wings by the final score of 8-2. They take a commanding 3-1 series lead and have extended their winning streak to three games.
Lehigh Valley has now scored 46 runs in this series. They finished the night with seven hits, went 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position, and left three men on base. Nick Nelson earned his fifth win of the season, and Wily Peralta lost his seventh game of the year for Rochester.
The IronPigs and Red Wings play game five on Saturday 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.
