The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (19-29) played game six of a seven-game series on Saturday night against the Rochester Red Wings (24-23) from Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley pitcher David Parkinson (0-2, 4.76 ERA) was on the mound against Rochester’s Jackson Rutledge (2-2, 5.97 ERA).
The game was scoreless in the first two innings until the top of the third inning. With two outs, Rochester designated hitter Travis Blankenhorn hit Parkinson’s sinker for a solo home run over the wall at right field for a 1-0 lead. It was Blankenhorn’s 12th home run of the season. Parkinson struck out Rochester first baseman Juan Yepez to end the inning.
Moving to the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base when third baseman Jim Haley hit an RBI single to center field scoring Rafael Marchan and the game was tied 1-1 with two outs for Cal Stevenson. Stevenson hit Rutledge’s fastball for a two-run RBI triple to center field scoring Simon Muzziotti and Jim Haley to take a 3-1 lead. Lehigh Valley designated hitter David Dahl struck out swinging to end the inning.
Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on the corners when shortstop Weston Wilson brought Jordan Luplow home with a sacrifice fly to left field for a 4-1 lead. Two batters later, Lehigh Valley second baseman Esteban Quiroz hit an RBI double to right field scoring Darick Hall making it 5-1. Then, Lehigh Valley left fielder Simon Muzziotti hit an RBI single to center field scoring Esteban Quiroz and it was 6-1 IronPigs.
At the top of the seventh inning, Rochester third baseman Carter Kieboom hit David Parkinson’s slider for a solo home run over the wall at left field cutting Lehigh Valley’s lead down to 6-2 with one out. Parkinson got the last two outs to end the inning.
David Parkinson finished the game pitching 6.2 innings, allowing seven hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts throwing 102 pitches, of which 62 were strikes. Tyler Gilbert took over at the top of the eighth inning getting one strikeout throwing 11 pitches, of which nine were strikes.
Yunior Marte was the pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. Rochester second baseman Trey Lipscomb hit a single and advanced to second base on a throwing error by Jim Haley. Two batters later, Rochester had runners on the corners when Carter Kieboom grounded into a 6-4-3 double play as Lipscomb scored which made the score 6-3 Lehigh Valley.
Finally, Rochester right fielder Stone Garrett flies out toward left fielder Simon Muzziotti, who made the catch and the game was over. The IronPigs defeated the Red Wings by the final score of 6-3. The series is now tied at three apiece.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with eight hits and committed one error. The win went to Lehigh Valley starter David Parkinson for his first win of the season, and the loss went to Rochester pitcher Jackson Rutledge.
The IronPigs conclude the seven-game homestand against the Red Wings on Sunday at 6:35 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.
