The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (42-44) kicked off a nine-game homestand early Tuesday afternoon from Coca-Cola Park against the Buffalo Bisons (41-46). Lehigh Valley starter Max Castillo (0-3, 7.42 ERA) was on the mound against Buffalo’s Chad Dallas (2-3, 6.61 ERA).
At the top of the first inning, Buffalo had a runner on first base with one out when third baseman Gabriel Cancel hit Castillo’s slider for a two-run home run onto the berm at left-center field for a 2-0 lead. Castillo got Will Robertson to ground out toward first baseman Darick Hall and struck out Riley Tirotta to end the inning.
At the top of the second inning with one out, Buffalo catcher Max McDowell hit Castillo’s sinker on the first pitch for a solo home run clearing the wall at left field for a 3-0 lead. Three batters later with two outs and a runner on second base, Buffalo shortstop Addison Barger hit Castillo’s changeup for a two-run home run onto the berm at left-center field extending their lead to 5-0. A flyout by designated hitter Phil Clarke ended the inning.
At the top of the third inning, Buffalo had runners on the corners with nobody out when first baseman Riley Tirotta hit an RBI single to left field scoring Gabriel Cancel for a 6-0 lead. After right fielder Alan Roden grounded into a forceout at second base, Lehigh Valley starter Max Castillo was replaced by Jonah Dipoto.
Next, Buffalo catcher Max McDowell grounded out toward second baseman Esteban Quiroz for the second out but Will Robertson scored for a 7-0 lead with two outs. A flyout by second baseman Miguel Hiraldo ended the inning. Lehigh Valley starter Max Castillo (2.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 1 K) threw 59 pitches, of which 38 were strikes.
In the bottom of the third inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on first base with one out when left fielder Weston Wilson hit Dallas’s sinker on the first pitch for a two-run home run clearing the wall at left field and the score was now 7-2 Buffalo.
It was Wilson’s 18th home run of the season and 54 RBI of the year. The home run went 404 feet with an exit velocity of 105.8 mph. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on the corners with one out when shortstop Scott Kingery brought Carlos De La Cruz home with a sacrifice fly to center field and the score was now 7-3 Buffalo. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base with one out when first baseman Darick Hall hit an RBI double to center field scoring Cal Stevenson and Buffalo’s lead was now down to 7-4. It was Hall’s seventh double of the season and 38th RBI of the year.
Then, Lehigh Valley right fielder Carlos De La Cruz grounded out toward Buffalo second baseman Miguel Hiraldo for the second out but scored Weston Wilson. It was Cruz’s first RBI of the season. Lehigh Valley did not add any more runs in the inning.
Lehigh Valley pitcher Jonah Dipoto (2.2 IP, 3 K) threw 25 pitches, of which 17 were strikes. Eury Ramos was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the sixth inning. Ramos (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) threw 17 pitches, of which seven were strikes to get three outs.
Taylor Lehman was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the seventh inning. Lehman (1.0 IP, 1 K) threw 13 pitches, of which 9 were strikes to get three outs. Andrew Bellatti was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the eighth inning. Bellatti (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) threw 22 pitches, of which 12 were strikes.
Tyler Gilbert was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. Gilbert (1.0 IP, 2 K) threw 9 pitches, of which 7 were strikes to get three outs. Lehigh Valley had one more chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Lehigh Valley pinch-hitter Jim Haley struck out swinging and the game was over.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs lose to the Buffalo Bisons by the final score of 7-5. They finished the afternoon with 9 hits and committed one error. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Max Castillo for his fourth loss of the season. The win went to Buffalo pitcher Eric Pardinho and the save went to Buffalo pitcher Mason Fluharty.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game two of the six-game series on Wednesday 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.
