On Sunday afternoon at PNC Field, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (13-11) closed out the six-game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (9-14).
Colton Eastman (0-1, 3.52 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the RailRiders started Manny Banuelos (0-1, 1.42 ERA).
The IronPigs got on the board first at the top of the third inning. IronPigs’ center fielder Dustin Peterson was up at-bat with the bases loaded. He singled on a ground ball to third base. The ball bounced off RailRiders’ third baseman Jose Peraza’s glove, and a run scored, putting the IronPigs up 1-0.
Then, in the bottom of the third inning, the RailRiders tied the game. The RailRiders had the bases loaded when IronPigs’ starter Colton Eastman threw a wild pitch over catcher Donny Sands’ head and a run scored, tying the game 1-1.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, the IronPigs got the lead back. IronPigs’ left fielder Will Toffey was up at-bat with a runner on second base. He singled out to right field, scoring a run that put the IronPigs in the lead 2-1.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, the RailRiders came back to take the lead. RailRiders’ left fielder Ryan LaMarre was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a ground ball to left field, scoring a run that tied the game 2-2.
Then, RailRiders’ center fielder Estevan Florial singled on a line drive to right field, scoring a run that put the RailRiders up 3-2.
At the top of the eighth inning, the IronPigs took the lead for good. IronPigs’ designated hitter Bryson Stott was up at-bat with runners on first and second base. He singled on a line drive to left field, scoring a run that tied the game 3-3.
Two batters later, IronPigs’ second baseman Drew Maggi singled on a line drive to right field, scoring another run that put Lehigh Valley up 4-3.
Moving ahead to the top of the ninth inning, the IronPigs hit three home runs. IronPigs’ first baseman Darick Hall crushed a solo home run out to right-center field, extending the IronPigs lead 5-3. Two batters later, IronPigs shortstop Nick Maton was up at-bat with a runner on first base. He doubled on a line drive to right field, scoring a run for a 6-3 lead.
Two batters later, with runners on the corners, IronPigs’ left fielder Will Toffey grounded into a forceout, scoring a run that made it 7-3 IronPigs with one out.
Two batters later, with two outs, IronPigs’ right fielder John Andreoli hit a two-run home run out to left field, making it 9-3 IronPigs.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Nick Duron closed out the game for the IronPigs. RailRiders’ center fielder Estevan Florial was up at-bat with runners on first and second base with one out. He got Florial to hit into a double play that ended the game. The IronPigs beat the RailRiders 9-3 for their fourth win in a row.
IronPigs’ starter Colton Eastman went 4.1 innings, allowing two hits, one run, three walks, and two strikeouts in a no-decision.
The win went to IronPigs’ relief pitcher Braeden Ogle (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO), while the loss went to RailRiders’ relief pitcher Reggie McClain (0.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 0 SO).
The IronPigs continue their road trip starting Tuesday at NBT Bank Stadium against the Syracuse Mets at 6:35 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased thanks to our friends at StubHub.
