The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (48-60) were back at Polar Park for game two Wednesday night versus the Worcester Red Sox (62-47).
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) made a rehab start for the IronPigs against Worcester’s Raynel Espinal (9-4, 3.63 ERA).
At the top of the second inning, IronPigs designated hitter Mickey Moniak reached first base after center Franchy Cordero dropped an easy first out.
Two batters later, and for the second straight game, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton hit a two-run home out towards center field for a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Red Sox left fielder Franchy Cordero made up for the error by crushing a solo home run to right field that cut the IronPigs lead 2-1.
In his rehab start, Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez was taken out in the bottom of the fourth inning. He finished the game pitching 3.2 IP, 1, H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR. Damon Jones replaced Velasquez.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Braeden Ogle was the new pitcher for the IronPigs. With a runner on first base, the Red Sox took a 3-2 lead on a two-run home run by center fielder Frenchy Cordero. It was his second home run of the night and ninth of the year.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, with a runner on second base, Red Sox second baseman Jack Lopez singled on a ground ball to center field, adding another run 4-2.
The IronPigs had one more shot at getting back into the game at the top of the ninth inning. They had to face Red Sox closer Eduard Bazardo. With two outs, IronPigs pinch hitter Arquimedes Gamboa hit a solo home run to right field to cut the Red Sox lead to 4-3. IronPigs center fielder Adam Haseley was the last man up. He struck out, and the IronPigs lose 4-3. The Red Sox have won eight straight games.
The win went to Red Sox pitcher Raynel Espinal (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, 1 HR), while the loss went to IronPigs pitcher Braeden Ogle (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 SO, 1 HR). Red Sox pitcher Eduard Bazardo 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO, 1 HR) earned his third save of the season.
Game three of the six-game series continues today at 6:35 pm. Jack Perkins (0-2, 5.40 ERA) starts for Lehigh Valley against Worcester’s Connor Seabold (2-3, 3.67 ERA).
