The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (16-26) concluded the six-game road trip on Sunday against the Norfolk Tides (23-22) from Harbor Park Stadium. Lehigh Valley pitcher David Buchanan (0-2, 6.48 ERA) was on the mound against Norfolk’s Jonathan Heasley (0-0, 0.60 ERA).
The game was scoreless through nine innings. Lehigh Valley pitcher David Buchanan went six innings, allowing two hits, one walk, and five strikeouts throwing 82 pitches, of which 55 were strikes. Taylor Lehman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) threw 24 pitches, of which 15 were strikes, Max Lazar (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) threw 17 pitches, of which 12 were strikes, and Ryan Burr (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K) threw 31 pitches, of which 22 were strikes.
At the top of the eleventh inning, Luis Gonzalez was pitching for Norfolk and Lehigh Valley center fielder Cal Stevenson was on second base. With a runner on third base, Lehigh Valley catcher Aramis Garcia hit Gonzalez’s slider for an RBI double to left field scoring Stevenson for a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the eleventh inning, Norfolk had runners on the corners when designated hitter Michael Perez hit a groundout toward second baseman Scott Kingery scoring Billy Cook, and the game was tied 1-1.
At the top of the twelfth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base. Lehigh Valley shortstop Weston Wilson hit an RBI double to left field scoring Jordan Luplow for a 2-1 lead. Then, Lehigh Valley took a 3-1 lead on a fielding error by second baseman Connor Norby.
Nick Nelson was pitching for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the twelfth inning. Nelson loaded the bases for Heston Kjerstad. Kjerstad hit Nelson’s changeup for a game-winning grand slam hitting the scoreboard at right field and the IronPigs lost to the Tides 5-3 to split the series.
Lehigh Valley finished the game with six hits and committed one error. Lehigh Valley pitcher Nick Nelson lost his second game of the season and the win went to Norfolk pitcher Nick Vespi.
Lehigh Valley returns to Coca-Cola Park to begin a seven-game series with the Rochester Americans starting on Tuesday at 11 am 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.
