The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (34-39) concluded the six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon against the Norfolk Tides (36-39) from Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley starter David Parkinson (1-4, 5.53 ERA) was on the mound against Norfolk’s Justin Armbruester (1-6, 9.38 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, Norfolk had the bases loaded with nobody out when Kyle Stowers grounded toward third baseman Weston Wilson into a 5-2-3 double play. Then, Parkinson struck out Billy Cook to end the inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on first base with two outs when shortstop Scott Kingery hit an RBI triple to left field scoring Cody Roberts to take a 1-0 lead. It was Kingery’s second triple of the season and 35th RBI of the year. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
At the top of the third inning, Norfolk had the bases loaded with one out when center fielder Billy Cook hit Parkinson’s fastball for a grand slam clearing the wall at left field and putting the Tides up 4-1. It was Cook’s eighth home run of the season.
Four batters later, the bases were loaded again for Norfolk when third baseman Noelberth Romero hit an RBI single to right field scoring Anthony Servideo extending their lead to 5-1. Next, Norfolk second baseman Connor Norby brought Connor Pavolony home with a sacrifice fly to right field and the score was now 6-1.
Norfolk right fielder Heston Kjerstad. After getting hit for the third time by Parkinson, he argued that David Parkinson should have been ejected from the game and instead, he was the one to get ejected. Donta’ Williams replaced him at right field. A pop-out by designated hitter Coby Mayo ended the inning.
Lehigh Valley starter David Parkinson (3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 2 K) threw 70 pitches, of which 38 were strikes. David Buchanan was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the fourth inning. He struck out the side throwing 14 pitches, of which 10 were strikes.
Moving to the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base when second baseman Jim Haley hit Justin Armbruester’s curveball for a three-run home run over the wall at left field and the score was now 6-4 Norfolk. It was Haley’s fourth home run of the season and 13th RBI of the year. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
Max Lazar was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the seventh inning with two outs. He struck out Connor Norby to end the inning. Buchanan (3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K) threw 66 pitches, of which 41 were strikes. Lazar (1.1 IP, 1 K) threw 17 pitches, of which 10 were strikes.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on second and third base with one out when third baseman Weston Wilson grounded toward second baseman Connor Norby, who threw the ball to first baseman Shayne Fontana to get Wilson out but Kody Clemens scored and Norfolk’s lead was down to one 6-5. It was Wilson’s 45th RBI of the year. Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall lined out toward left fielder Kyle Stowers for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Ruben Cardenas hit Carlos Tavera’s fastball for a solo home run onto the berm at center field, and the game was tied 6-6. It was Cardenas’s 16th home run of the season and 41st RBI of the year. The home run went 432 feet with an exit velocity of 106.6 mph.
Three batters later with one out and a runner on third base, Lehigh Valley shortstop Scott Kingery hit an RBI single to center field scoring Cody Roberts and putting the IronPigs up 7-6. It was Kingery’s 36th RBI of the season. Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded with two outs by third baseman Weston Wilson popped out toward first baseman Shayne Fontana for the final out of the inning.
Tyler Gilbert was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher at the top of the ninth inning. Gilbert struck out Billy Cook and got Anthony Servideo to ground out toward second baseman Jim Haley for the second out before giving up a single to Connor Pavolony. Finally, Gilbert struck out Hudson Haskin and the game was over. Gilbert (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) threw 16 pitches, of which 9 were strikes.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs defeated the Norfolk Tides by the final score of 7-6. Lehigh Valley finishes the first half with a 34-39 record. The IronPigs win the series 5-1. Lehigh Valley finished the afternoon with ten hits and committed one error. The win went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Max Lezar. It was his second win of the season while Tyler Gilbert earned his second save of the season, and the loss went to Norfolk pitcher Carlos Tavera.
The IronPigs hit the road to play a six-game series from Durham Bulls Athletic Park against the Durham Bulls to start the second half season on Tuesday 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.
