The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (63-68) played game three of a six-game series from Sahlen Field on Wednesday night against the Buffalo Bisons (61-73). Lehigh Valley starter Kolby Allard (3-7, 5.45 ERA) was on the mound against Buffalo’s Andrew Bash (4-0, 3.33 ERA).
Before the game, the Philadelphia Phillies recalled center fielder Cal Stevenson after placing Austin Hayes on the 10-day disabled list with a kidney infection.
The game was scoreless for the first three innings until the bottom of the fourth inning. Buffalo had a runner on third base with one out when shortstop Josh Kasevich hit an RBI single to center field scoring Rafael Lantigua for a 1-0 lead. Two batters later with two outs and Kasevich on second base, Buffalo center fielder Jonatan Clase hit an RBI double to left field scoring Kasevich for a 2-0 lead. A flyout by Damiano Palmegiani ended the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley starter Kolby Allard got Nick Raposo to pop out to catcher Aramis Garcia before Allard was replaced by Jonah Dipoto. With two outs, Dipoto hit Steward Berroa. Then, Rafael Lantigua grounded out to third baseman Buddy Kennedy for the final out of the inning. Kolby Allard (4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) threw 78 pitches, of which 46 were strikes. Dipoto (1.2 IP, 1 BB) threw 34 pitches, of which 16 were strikes.
Andrew Bellatti was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the seventh inning. Buffalo had runners on second and third base with one out when left fielder Steward Berroa hit a two-run RBI triple to center field scoring Damiano Palmegiani and Nick Raposo extending their lead 4-0.
Two batters later with two outs, right fielder Alan Roden hit an RBI double to right field scoring Berroa for a 5-0 lead. The inning ended when shortstop Josh Kasevich lined out to center fielder Matt Kroon. Andrew Bellatti (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB) threw 26 pitches, of which 13 were strikes.
Yunior Marte was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the eighth inning. Buffalo had runners on first and third base with one out when catcher Max McDowell grounded into a forceout at second base but Jonatan Clase scored for a 6-0 lead.
Next, Steward Berroa hit an RBI single to center field scoring Damiano Palmegiani for a 7-0 lead. Then, a wild pitch by Marte scored Mac McDowell for an 8-0 lead. A flyout by Rafael Lantigua ended the inning. Marte (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB) threw 21 pitches, of which 15 were strikes.
At the top of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley second baseman Jim Haley flies out to left fielder Steward Berroa for the first out, and left fielder Trevor Schwecke struck out swinging. Finally, Buffalo pitcher Mason Fluharty got Lehigh Valley center fielder Matt Kroon to ground out to second baseman Rafael Lantigua for the final out of the game.
The IronPigs were shut out by the Bisons 8-0. This was the second time in this series that the IronPigs were shut out. They are now 5-5 in their last ten games. Lehigh Valley finished the night with three hits and committed two errors.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Kolby Allard for his eighth loss of the season and the win went to Buffalo pitcher Paxton Schultz for his fifth win of the season.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game four on Friday at 6:05 pm on MiLB.TV. Purchase IronPigs tickets for the 2024 season today on StubHub and Viagogo.
