The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (9-10) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday night to start a six-game homestand against the Charlotte Knights (9-12). Lehigh Valley pitcher David Buchanan (2-1, 3.94 ERA) was on the mound against Charlotte’s Brad Keller (1-1, 5.23 ERA).
The game was scoreless in the first two innings until the bottom of the third inning when Lehigh Valley right field Simon Muzziotti hit an RBI double to left field scoring Aramis Garcia for a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, a groundout by first baseman Darick Hall scored Nick Podkul extending their lead to 2-0.
At the top of the fifth inning, a groundout by Charlotte shortstop Colson Montgomery cut the IronPigs lead down to 2-1. Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Jordan Luplow brought Simon Muzziotti home with an RBI single to right field making it 3-1. Two batters later, a sacrifice fly by Weston Wilson scored Jordan Luplow for a 4-1 lead.
At the top of the eighth inning, Charlotte third baseman Lenyn Sosa hit David Buchanan’s curveball for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field cutting the IronPigs lead down to 4-2.
At the top of the ninth inning, Ryan Burr attempted to close out the game for Lehigh Valley. Burr walked Zach DeLoach and gave up a single to Carlos Perez. After getting back-to-back strikeouts, Burr had to deal with Lenyn Sosa. With the count 0-2 with two outs, Sosa hit Burr’s cutter for a three-run home run over the wall at left field putting Charlotte up 5-4. Lehigh Valley had one more chance in the bottom of the ninth inning but Charlotte pitcher Justin Anderson got the final three outs of the game and the IronPigs lost the opening series to the Knights by the final score of 5-4.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Ryan Burr (1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K) throwing 28 pitches, of which 19 were starts. Lehigh Valley starter David Buchanan pitched 7.1 innings, allowing 10 hits, 2 runs, and five strikeouts throwing 102 pitches, of which 72 were strikes. The win went to Charlotte pitcher Prelander Berroa (1.0 IP, 2 BB) throwing 20 pitches, of which nine were strikes, and Justin Anderson earned his third save of the season.
The IronPigs and Knights continue the six-game series on Wednesday at 6:45 pm on MiLB.TV. Purchase IronPigs tickets for the 2024 season today on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics and Rally House.
