On Sunday evening at Coca-Cola Park, the Lehigh Valley took on the Syracuse Mets in the final game of the series. The IronPigs had locked up the series Saturday and were looking to go out on a winning note. Instead, they were met with a rude awakening.
Ricardo Sanchez (5-3, 4.43 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while the Mets started Mike Montgomery (1-8, 6.65 ERA).
At the top of the second inning, Mets’ third baseman Deven Marrero was up with the bases loaded. He cleared the bases with a triple off the wall at right field for a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Mets’ left fielder Nick Plummer brought Marrero home with a double and a 4-0 lead. The IronPigs cut the Met’s lead in half 4-2 in the bottom of the second inning with a Chris Sharpe two-run homer run to left field.
Moving ahead to the top of the fourth inning, the Mets batted around. Colton Eastman replaced Ricardo Sanchez after putting two runners on base. Sanchez went three innings, allowing six hits, four runs, one walk, and one strikeout in 46 pitches.
Eastman hit JT Riddle and walked Nick Plummer for a 5-2 Mets lead. During Francisco Alvarez’s plate appearance, IronPigs’ catcher Rafael Marchan missed Eastman’s ball, and another run scored for a 6-2 Mets. The IronPigs pitchers were not accurate, and Marchan spent the day chasing their throws. The Mets added six more runs for a 12-2 lead.
The Mets added three more runs at the top of the sixth inning. Khalil Lee hit a double, scoring two runs that made it 14-2, and JT Riddle hit a double for a 15-2 lead. A ground out by Travis Blankenhorn made it 16-2 at the top of the seventh inning. Daniel Palka and Travis Blankenhorn scored the Mets’ final runs for an 18-2 lead. R.J Alvarez closed out the game for the Mets and got the final three outs for an 18-2 win.
The good news for the IronPigs was Jacksonville lost. However, Durham won their game and is now a game behind Lehigh Valley for second place. The IronPigs are now 58-47 for the season.
The IronPigs forgot that there was a game today. Getting blown out by any team is no fun, and it’s also inexcusable. Good teams should not be getting blown out like this. It’s one thing if you lose by no more than five runs, but to lose by 16 runs. This was a reality check for them, and something must change before they resume play on Tuesday.
The IronPigs had five hits in the game. After Ricardo Sanchez was taken out, Lehigh Valley went through six pitchers. Sanchez and Eastman both gave up six runs, James Marvel allowed three runs, Sam Coonrod gave up one run, and Jonathan Hennigan allowed one run.
Sanchez lost his fourth game of the year, and the win went to Mets pitcher Trey Cobb (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO). It was Cobb’s sixth win of the year.
The IronPigs continue their homestand on Tuesday against the Charlotte Knights at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub, and pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics.com.
