The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (19-30) concluded the seven-game series on Sunday against the Rochester Red Wings (25-23) from Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley pitcher Tyler Phillips (5-2, 4.79 ERA) was on the mound against Rochester’s Thaddeus Ward (2-2, 6.55 ERA).
The game was scoreless for one inning until the top of the second inning. Rochester had a runner on third base when designated hitter Stone Garrett hit an RBI single to left field scoring Juan Yepez for a 1-0 lead.
Moving to the top of the third inning, Rochester had runners on second and third base with two outs when first baseman Juan Yepez hit a two-run RBI single to center field scoring Jackson Cluff and Darren Baker for a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Rochester third baseman Carter Kieboom flies out toward center fielder Cal Stevenson, who made the catch to end the inning.
At the top of the fifth inning, Rochester had runners on second and third base when second baseman Trey Lipscomb hit an RBI single to left field scoring Travis Blankenhorn and extending their lead to 4-0. Next, Carter Kieboom hit an RBI single to center field scoring Juan Yepez and it was now 5-0 Rochester. Two batters later, Rochester had runners in the corners when Brady Lindsley hit an RBI single to center field scoring Trey Lipscomb making it 6-0 with two outs.
That was it for Lehigh Valley pitcher Tyler Phillips. He was replaced by Andrew Bellatti. Bellatti got Jackson Cluff to pop out toward shortstop Scott Kingery, who made the catch ending the inning. Tyler Phillips finished the game pitching 4.2 innings, allowing 11 hits, six runs, two walks, and four strikeouts throwing 95 pitches, of which 62 were strikes. Bellatti (1.1 IP) threw 16 pitches, of which nine were strikes.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on third base when designated hitter David Dahl hit Thaddeus Ward’s sinker for a two-run home run into the Tiki Bar at left field cutting Rochester’s lead down it 6-2. It was Dahl’s eighth home run of the season and 17th RBI of the year. With two outs, a flyout by Jordan Luplow ended the inning.
The other pitchers to pitch for Lehigh Valley were Max Lazer (1.0 IP, 1 H) threw 17 pitches, of which 11 were strikes, and Zac Houston (1.0 IP, 1 K) threw 12 pitches, of which 7 were strikes.
Moving ahead to the top of the ninth inning, Nick Nelson was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. With one out, Rochester right fielder Travis Blankenhorn hit Nelson’s changeup for a solo home run into Lehigh Valley’s bullpen at left field for a 7-2 lead. Nelson pitched one inning, allowing one hit, one run, and one walk throwing 19 pitches, of which 9 were strikes.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Amos Willingham was the new Rochester pitcher. After Jordan Luplow worked a four-pitch walk before Willingham got the final three outs of the game. The IronPigs lose to the Red Wings by the final score of 7-2. The IronPigs lose the series 4-3.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with two hits and committed one error. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Tyler Phillips and the win went to Rochester pitcher Thaddeus Ward.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs hit the road to start a six-game series against the Columbus Clippers starting on Tuesday 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.
