The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (51-49) concluded the six-game series on Sunday afternoon from Innovative Field against the Rochester Red Wings (54-46). Lehigh Valley pitcher Zach Haake (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was on the mound against Rochester’s Brad Lord (2-0, 4.21 ERA).
The game was scoreless through three innings until the bottom of the fourth inning. Lehigh Valley pitcher Zach Haake (3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K) threw 50 pitches, of which 31 were strikes. Ricardo Pinto was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With two outs, Rochester first baseman Joey Meneses hit Pinto’s sinker for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field for a 1-0 lead. It was his second home run of the season. A ground out by Stone Garrett ended the inning.
At the top of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded with one out when third baseman Buddy Kennedy brought Simon Muzziotti home with a sacrifice fly to left field, and the game was tied 1-1. It was Kennedy’s 39th RBI of the season. A flyout by catcher Rafael Marchan ended the inning.
Ricardo Pinto (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K) threw 22 pitches, of which 15 were strikes. Taylor Lehman was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the sixth inning. He threw 12 pitches, of which eight were strikes to get three outs.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Rochester right fielder Travis Blankenhorn hit Lehman’s fastball for a solo home run clearing the wall at right field and putting the Red Wings up 2-1. It was his 24th home run of the season.
Lehman was replaced by Tyler McKay. Lehman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K) threw 18 pitches, of which 13 were strikes while McKay (1.0 IP, 2 H) threw 11 pitches, of which 9 were strikes.
Griff McGarry was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the eighth inning. McGarry loaded the bases with one out before throwing a wild pitch scoring Jake Alu extending the Red Wings lead 3-1. Then, Joey Meneses brought Carter Kieboom home with a sacrifice fly to center field for a 4-1 lead.
Two batters later, a lineout by Jack Dunn to left fielder Simon Muzziotti ended the inning. McGarry (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB) threw 29 pitches, of which 14 were strikes.
Rico Garcia pitched for Rochester at the top of the ninth inning. Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall lined out toward center fielder Dylan Crews, Kody Clemens grounded out toward first baseman Joey Meneses and designated hitter Rodolfo Castro struck out swinging and the game was over. The IronPigs lost to the Red Wings by the final score of 4-1. They split the series 3-3.
Lehigh Valley finished the afternoon with three hits and committed one error. The loss went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Taylor Lehman. It was his third loss of the season. The win went to Rochester pitcher Orlando Ribalta and Rico Garcia earned his 16th save of the season.
The IronPigs continue their 12-game road trip on Tuesday against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 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.
