The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (31-38) played game two of a six-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Norfolk Tides (35-36) from Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley starter Freddy Tarnok (0-3, 12.19 ERA) was on the mound against Norfolk’s Chayce McDermott (2-4, 3.62 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on first base with one out when third baseman Buddy Kennedy hit McDermott’s fastball for a two-run home run clearing the wall at left field for a 2-0 lead. It was Kennedy’s fifth home run of the season and 23rd RBI of the season.
Lehigh Valley starter Freddy Tarnok (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) threw 31 pitches, of which 18 were strikes. Kolby Allard replaced Tarnok at the top of the third inning. He gave up a double to Connor Pavolony with one out before getting Connor Norby to ground out and struck out Heston Kjerstad to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning with two outs, Lehigh Valley third baseman Buddy Kennedy hit McDermott’s cutter for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field extending Lehigh Valley’s lead 3-0. It was Kennedy’s sixth home run of the season and 24th RBI of the year. The home run distance went 399 feet with an exit velocity of 99.3 mph. Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall struck out swinging and the inning was over.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on second base when designated hitter Jordan Luplow hit an RBI single to center field scoring Weston Wilson for a 4-0 lead. It was Luplow’s 32nd RBI of the year. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
At the top of the fifth inning with two outs, Norfolk shortstop Anthony Servideo hit a solo home run clearing the wall at right-center field and the score was now 4-1 Lehigh Valley. A pop-out by Connor Pavolony ended the inning.
At the top of the sixth inning, Norfolk had runners on the corners with one out when left fielder Daniel Johnson hit Allard’s cutter for an RBI single to right field scoring Heston Kjerstad and the score was now 4-2 Lehigh Valley. Two batters later with the bases loaded, Norfolk designated hitter Maverick Handley brought Coby Mayo home with a sacrifice fly to center field and Lehigh Valley’s lead was down to 4-3. Kolby Allard struck out Hudson Haskin to retire the side.
Lehigh Valley pitcher Colby Allard (5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K) threw 84 pitches, of which 56 were strikes. Taylor Lehman was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the eighth inning. Lehman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) threw 10 pitches, of which nine were strikes.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley had a chance to add insurance runs with two outs and the bases loaded but second baseman Esteban Quiroz struck out swinging.
Tyler Gilbert was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher at the top of the ninth inning. Gilbert got Norfolk designated hitter Maverick Handley to ground out toward shortstop Weston Wilson, who threw the ball to first baseman Darick Hall for the first out. Two batters later with a runner on first base, Gilbert struck out Anthony Servideo. Finally, Gilbert struck out Connor Pavolony and the game was over. Gilbert (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) threw 17 pitches, of which 11 were strikes.
The IronPigs defeated the Tides by the final score of 4-3. They are now up 2-0 in the series against Norfolk. Lehigh Valley finished the night with five hits. The win went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Kolby Allard. It was his first win of the season while the loss went to Norfolk starter Chayce McDermott, and Lehigh Valley pitcher Tyler Gilbert earned his first save of the season.
The IronPigs and Tides play game three on Thursday at 7:05 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.
