The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (9-11) played game two of a six-game homestand on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park against the Charlotte Knights (10-12). Lehigh Valley pitcher Max Castillo (0-0, 4.80 ERA) was on the mound against Charlotte’s Jake Woodford (0-1, 11.05 ERA).
Lehigh Valley struck first in the bottom of the first inning when first baseman Darick Hall hit an RBI double to right field scoring Jordan Luplow for a 1-0 lead. It was Hall’s second double of the season and 12th RBI of the year.
Then, Lehigh Valley designated hitter David Dahl hit Woodford’s changeup for a ground ball to left field scoring Hall extending their lead to 2-0.
At the top of the second inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Matt Kroon made a great play with the bases loaded catching a fly ball from Wilmer Difo before throwing the ball right to catcher José Godoy to complete the inning-ending double play.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded for Simon Muzziotti. He grounded into a forceout at second base but Scott Kingery scored making it 3-0 IronPigs.
At the top of the third inning, Charlotte had runners on first and second base when Tommy Phan hit Castillo’s fastball for an RBI single to center field cutting Lehigh Valley’s lead down to 3-1. Two batters later, Zach DeLoach hit Castillo’s changeup for a two-run single to right field tying the game 3-3.
At the top of the fifth inning, Charlotte shortstop David Montgomery hit Castillo’s changeup for a solo home run over the wall at right field to take a 4-3 lead. Castillo pitched five innings, allowing six hits, four runs, four walks, and two strikeouts throwing 89 pitches, of which 53 were strikes.
Moving ahead to the top of the eighth inning, Griff McGarry was pitching for Lehigh Valley. He loaded the bases before throwing a wild pitch scoring Adam Hackenberg extending Charlotte’s lead to 5-3.
The IronPigs had one more chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the ninth inning against Lane Ramsey. Ramsey got a flyout from Scott Kingery, a groundout by José Godoy, and another flyout by Simon Muzziotti ending the game. The IronPigs lost game two to the Knights by the final score of 5-3. Lehigh Valley is down 2-0 in the series.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Max Castillo, while the win went to Charlotte starter Jake Woodford (5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K) throwing 94 pitches, of which 52 were strikes, and Lane Ramsey earned his first save of the season.
The IronPigs continue the six-game homestand against the Knights on Thursday 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.
