The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (26-33) played game four of a six-game homestand on Friday night against the Buffalo Bisons (31-30) from Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley pitcher David Parkinson (1-3, 5.29 ERA) was on the mound against Buffalo’s Aaron Sanchez (1-2, 11.81 ERA). David Buchanan was supposed to pitch in this but went on the 7-day injured list.
At the top of the second inning with one out and a runner on second base, Buffalo shortstop Michael Turconi hit an RBI single to center field scoring Riley Tirotta for a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Buffalo center field Cam Eden hit a fly ball toward center fielder Cal Stevenson, who made the catch crashing onto the wall for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning with one out, Lehigh Valley third baseman Nick Podkul hit Sanchez’s sinker for a solo home run over the wall at center field and the game was tied 1-1. It was Podkul’s fifth home run of the season and 18th RBI of the year. In addition, Podkul extended his hitting streak to eight games. Jim Haley and Simon Muzziotti both grounded out to end the inning.
Moving ahead to the top of the sixth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, Buffalo first baseman Riley Tirotta hit Parkinson’s sinker for a two-run home run onto the berm at center field putting Buffalo back in the lead 3-1. It was Tirotta’s second home run of the season.
A lineout by Buffalo designated hitter Brian Serven to center fielder Cal Stevenson ended the inning. David Parkinson finished the night pitching six innings, allowing five hits, three runs, and four strikeouts throwing 86 pitches, of which 61 were strikes.
Blaine Knight was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher at the top of the seventh inning. Knight got Michael Turconi to flyout toward right fielder Jordan Luplow, a lineout from Max McDowell to right fielder Jordan Luplow, and a flyout by Cam Eden toward center fielder Cal Stevenson for the final out of the inning. Knight threw 10 pitches, of which seven were strikes.
Moving to the top of the ninth inning, Buffalo second baseman Orelvis Martinez hit Knight’s hanging slider for a solo home run over the wall at left field extending Buffalo’s lead to 4-1. Next, Buffalo first baseman Riley Tirotta hit Knight’s slider for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field and the score was now 5-1 Buffalo.
After walking Brian Serven, Blaine Knight got Buffalo shortstop Michael Turconi to line out toward shortstop Scott Kingery before striking out Max McDowell and Cam Eden to end the inning. Knight finished the game pitching three innings, allowing two hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts throwing 53 pitches, of which 32 were strikes.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on second base with two outs when catcher Aramis Garcia hit the ball toward shortstop Michael Turconi but could not field it cleanly allowing Cody Roberts to score and Buffalo’s lead was down to 5-2. A bunt ground out by Lehigh Valley center fielder Cal Stevenson ended the game. Lehigh Valley’s five-game winning streak came to an end with a 5-2 loss to Buffalo.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with four hits. The loss went to Lehigh Valley pitcher David Parkinson. It was his fourth loss of the season and the win went to Buffalo pitcher Aaron Sanchez.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game five on Saturday 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.
