The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (23-11) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday afternoon to open a six-game homestand against the Worcester Red Sox (17-16) on Education Day. Nabil Crismatt (3-1, 2.73 ERA) was on the mound against Josh Winckowski (0-1, 4.09 ERA) of Worcester.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Cal Stevenson hit an RBI double to left field scoring Garrett Stubbs to take a 1-0 lead. It was Stevenson’s fourth double of the season. Stevenson finished the game going 1 for 4 with a double and one RBI.
At the top of the seventh inning, Worcester catcher Blake Sabol hit Michael Mercado’s curveball for a solo home run at 420 feet to center field, and the game was tied 1-1. Later, Worcester left fielder Corey Rosier hit an RBI double to center field scoring Trayce Thompson for a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley third baseman Otto Kemp hit an RBI single to center field scoring Rodolfo Castro, and the game was tied 2-2. Kemp finished the day 1 for 4 with a single, a walk, and one RBI. The game went to extra innings.
At the top of the tenth inning, Worcester catcher Blake Sabol hit Joel Kuhnel’s four-seam fastball for a grand slam at 365 feet to left-center field for a 6-2 lead. In the bottom of the tenth inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Justin Crawford hit an RBI single to left field scoring Rafael Lantigua, and the IronPigs trailed the Red Sox 6-4.
Crawford finished the afternoon going 2 for 5 with two singles and one RBI. Then, Lehigh Valley catcher Garrett Stubbs grounded into a forceout at second base scoring Justin Crawford, and it was now 6-4 Worcester. Lehigh Valley was unable to mount a comeback and lose to the Worcester Red Sox by the final score of 6-4.
Lehigh Valley starter Nabil Crismatt pitched six innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and five strikeouts throwing 89 pitches, of which 59 were strikes in a no-decision. The loss went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Joel Kuhnel pitching 1.2 innings, allowing five hits, four runs, and three earned runs throwing 36 pitches, of which 23 were strikes. The win went to Worcester relief pitcher Nick Burdi for his third win of the season.
The IronPigs and Red Sox play game two on Wednesday at 6:45 pm. Purchase IronPigs tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
