The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (31-14) concluded the six-game series on Sunday afternoon against the Syracuse Mets (20-25) from NBT Bank Stadium. Kyle Tyler (4-2, 3.12 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Brandon Waddell (1-2, 1.42 ERA) of Syracuse.
Lehigh Valley got off to a quick start at the top of the first inning. Designated hitter Buddy Kennedy hit an RBI double to left field scoring Otto Kemp for a 1-0 lead. It was Kennedy’s seventh double of the season. Kennedy finished the afternoon going 2 for 5 with a single, a double, and one RBI.
Next, Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry hit a two-run RBI single to center field scoring Justin Crawford and Buddy Kennedy for a 3-0 lead. Henry finished the afternoon going 1 for 3 with a single, two walks, and two RBIs.
Then, with the bases loaded, third baseman Erick Brito hit a three-run double to left field scoring Payton Henry, Christian Arroyo, and Oscar Mercado for a 6-0 lead. It was Brito’s third double of the season. Erick Brito finished the afternoon going 2 for 3 with two walks, a single, a double, and three RBIs.
Syracuse left fielder Jared Young grounded into a forceout, and third baseman Donovan Walton hit an RBI single bringing home runs and it was now 6-2 Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley would get both of those runs back at the top of the fifth inning when shortstop Rodolfo Castro popped up. What should have been the final out of the inning, turned into the wind blowing the ball away from second baseman Ronny Mauricio. Payton Henry and Oscar Mercado scored for an 8-2 lead.
Syracuse stormed back with Jon Singleton and Jared Young scoring four runs to make it an 8-6 game. Guillo Zuñiga closed out the game for Lehigh Valley. Guillo Zuñiga struck out the final three batters and the IronPigs held on to defeat the Mets by the final score of 8-6. The IronPigs snapped a two-game losing streak and taking four of six games in Syracuse.
The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Joel Kuhnel. He pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, and one walk throwing 38 pitches, of which 25 were strikes. Guillo Zuñiga earned his first save of the season pitching one inning, with three strikeouts throwing 18 pitches, of which 12 were strikes. The loss went to Syracuse starter Brandon Waddell.
The IronPigs return to Coca-Cola Park to begin a six-game series against the Buffalo Bisons starting on Tuesday at 11 am for Education Day. Purchase IronPigs tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
