The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (53-50) and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (50-54) played game three of a six-game series on Thursday night from 121 Financial Ballpark.
Lehigh Valley pitcher Nick Nelson (2-4, 8.35 ERA) was on the mound against Jacksonville’s Yonny Chirinos (0-2, 6.30 ERA). This game was played in seven innings as the two teams concluded Wednesday night’s game on Thursday.
Nick Nelson (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K) pitched four scoreless innings throwing 66 pitches, of which 40 were strikes. Michael Rucker was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rucker (1.0 IP, 1 H) threw seven pitches, of which five were strikes to get three outs.
At the top of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded with one out when catcher Rafael Marchan brought Cody Roberts home for a 1-0 lead. It was Marchan’s ninth RBI of the season. Next, second baseman Kody Clemens hit an RBI single to left field scoring Cal Stevenson extending the IronPigs lead 2-0. It was Clemens’s 33rd RBI of the year.
The Jumbo Shrimp replaced Yonny Chirinos with Elvis Alvarado. With two outs, a flyout by Lehigh Valley right fielder Carlos De La Cruz ended the inning. Tyler Gilbert was the new Lehigh Valley pitcher in the bottom of the sixth inning. Gilbert (1.0 IP, 1 K) threw ten pitches, of which eight were strikes to get three outs.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on second base when shortstop Scott Kingery hit an RBI single to center field scoring Simon Muzziotti for a 3-0 lead. It was Kingery’s 53rd RBI of the season.
Scott Kingery got caught stealing second base and designated hitter Cody Roberts worked a four-pitch walk with Cal Stevenson up to bat. Stevenson hit an RBI double off the wall at right field scoring Roberts for a 4-0 lead. It was Stevenson’s 20th double of the season and 39th RBI of the year.
Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall was up to bat. Hall struck out as both Buddy Kennedy and Cal Stevenson went to steal bases. Jacksonville catcher Will Banfield made a throwing error to third baseman Deyvison De Los Santos and Stevenson scored making it 5-0 with two outs. A flyout by catcher Rafael Marchan ended the inning. Gilbert (2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K) threw 20 pitches, of which 22 were strikes.
Tyler Gilbert pitched for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gilbert gave up two hits to start the inning before striking out Diego Infante and José Devers before Javier Sanoja popped out toward catcher Rafael Marchan, who made the catch and the game was over.
The IronPigs shut out the Jumbo Shrimp 5-0. It was the first shutout for Lehigh Valley this season. Lehigh Valley takes a 2-1 series lead. They finished the night with six hits. The win went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Michael Rucker for his second win of the season, while Tyler Gilbert earned his seventh save of the season. The loss went to Jacksonville starter Yonny Chirinos.
The IronPigs and Jumbo Shrimp play game four on Friday 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.
