The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (12-18) concluded the six-game series on Sunday afternoon from Polar Park against the Worcester Red Sox (16-16). Lehigh Valley pitcher Max Castillo (0-2, 7.43 ERA) was on the mound against Worcester’s Richard Fitts (2-1, 3.91 ERA).
In the bottom of the second inning, Worcester first baseman Bobby Dalbec hit Castillo’s fastball for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field for a 1-0 lead. At the top of the third inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on second base and two outs when left fielder Simon Muzziotti hit an RBI single to right field scoring Jim Haley to tie the game 1-1. It was Muzziotti’s 11th RBI of the season. A pop-out by third baseman Weston Wilson ended the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, Worcester shortstop Chase Meidroth hit Castillo’s sinker for a solo home run over the wall at left-center field taking a 2-1 lead. Five batters later, Worcester had the bases loaded when designated hitter Niko Kavadas hit a groundout toward first baseman Nick Podkul scoring Enmanuel Valdez for a 3-1 lead. With two outs, Castillo struck out Nick Sogard to end the inning.
Worcester blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. With a runner on first base, Worcester shortstop Chase Meidroth hit an RBI double to center field scoring Eddy Alvarez for a 4-1 lead. After Enmanuel Valdez hit a single, Lehigh Valley replaced Max Castillo with Tyler McKay. Next, Worcester second baseman Romy Gonzalez hit an RBI single to right field scoring Chase Meidroth making it 5-1.
Worcester catcher Nathan Hickory brought Enmanuel Valdez home with a sacrifice fly to center fielder Cal Stevenson and it was now 6-1 Red Sox. Lehigh Valley pitcher Tyler McKay walked Bobby Dalbec before designated hitter Niko Kavadas hit McKay’s sinker for a three-run home run over the wall at right-center field for a 9-1 lead.
Lehigh Valley pitcher Max Castillo finished the game pitching 3.1 innings. Allowing 8 hits, six runs, two walks, and two strikeouts throwing 92 pitches, of which 56 were strikes. Tyler McKay pitched 0.2 IP, allowing two hits, three runs, one walk, and one strikeout throwing 25 pitches, of which 14 were strikes.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, Zac Houston was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley replacing Griff McGarry (2.0 IP, 3 BB, 3 K) throwing 44 pitches, of which 24 were strikes. With runners on second and third base, Worcester second baseman Romy Gonzalez hit Houston’s sinker for a two-run single to left field scoring Mark Contreras and Enmanuel Valdez for an 11-1 lead. With two outs, Houston struck out Bobby Dalbec ending the inning.
At the top of the ninth inning, Worcester pitcher Melvin Adón struck out Weston Wilson and Darick Hall before getting Nick Podkul to ground out toward third baseman Enmanuel Valdez, who threw the ball to first baseman Bobby Dalbec ending the game. The IronPigs lost to the Red Sox by the final score of 11-1. They finish the series 1-5.
The win went to Worcester pitcher Luis Guerrero (2.1 IP, 1 H, 3 K) throwing 44 pitches, of which 23 were strikes, and Lehigh Valley pitcher Max Castillo lost his third game of the season. He remains winless this season.
The IronPigs return home to Coca-Cola Park to start a six-game homestand against the Syracuse Mets starting on Tuesday at 11 am on MiLB.TV. Purchase IronPigs tickets for the 2024 season today on StubHub and Viagogo. Also, pick up IronPigs merchandise today at Fanatics and Rally House.
