The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (46-45) concluded the six-game series on Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Bisons (42-50) from Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley starter Kolby Allard (2-5, 5.96 ERA) was on the mound against Buffalo’s Chad Dallas (2-3, 6.92 ERA).
The game was supposed to start at 1:05 pm but it was delayed due to rain. However, the weather missed the stadium and the game got underway at 1:43 pm.
Lehigh Valley starter Kolby Allard had a no-hitter going until the top of the sixth inning when Buffalo left fielder Alan Roden hit a bunt single to Allard but Allard kicked the baseball and his no-hitter bid ended. He walked Cam Eden with one out before getting back-to-back force outs by Addison Barger and Rafael Lantigua.
At the top of the seventh inning, Buffalo first baseman Damiano Palmegiani hit Allard’s fastball for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field for a 1-0 lead. Allard walked Riley Tirotta before striking out Will Robertson. Allard (6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K) threw 92 pitches, of which 59 were strikes.
Andrew Bellatti was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley. He got back-to-back flyouts from Gabriel Cancel and Mac McDowell to end the inning. Bellatti (0.2 IP) threw five pitches, of which four were strikes. Max Lazar was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the eighth inning. Lazar (2.0 IP, 3 K) threw 23 pitches, of which 17 were strikes.
Lehigh Valley had one more chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall and second baseman Nick Podkul both struck out before Cal Stevenson walked on a pitch clock violation by Buffalo pitcher Hayden Juenger.
Next, Lehigh Valley right field Carlos De La Cruz hit a single moving Stevenson up to second base with Scott Kingery up to bat. Kingery lined out toward left fielder Alan Roden for the final out of the game. The IronPigs were shut out by the Bisons 1-0. Lehigh Valley wins the series four games to two. It is the fourth time Lehigh Valley has been shut out this season.
The IronPigs finished the afternoon with seven hits. Lehigh Valley starter Kolby Allard lost his sixth game of the season. The win went to Buffalo pitcher Beau Sulser and Hayden Juenger earned his second save of the season.
Lehigh Valley will resume its season on Friday against the Worcester Red Sox from Coca-Cola Park 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 Rally House.
