The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (35-15) played a doubleheader on Saturday against the Buffalo Bisons (18-30) from Coca-Cola Park. In game one, Mick Abel (5-2, 2.53 ERA) was on the mound against Adam Kloffenstein (0-0, 10.13 ERA) of Buffalo.
At the top of the first inning, Buffalo Orelvis Martinez brought Davis Schneider home with a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first inning, Lehigh Valley first baseman Christian Arroyo brought Justin Crawford home with a sacrifice fly to center field, the game was tied 1-1. Later, designated hitter Gabriel Rincones Jr. grounded towards second baseman Orelvis Martinez scoring Otto Kemp for a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Justin Crawford hit a two-run RBI double to center field scoring Oscar Mercado and Rodolfo Castro for a 4-1 lead. It was Crawford’s eleventh double of the season. Crawford finished the game going 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, and two RBIs.
Lehigh Valley starter Mick Abel pitched a good game going six innings, allowing three hits, one run, four walks, and eight strikeouts throwing 98 pitches, of which 63 were strikes for his sixth win of the season. The loss went to Buffalo starter Adam Kloffenstein.
In game two, Kyle Tyler (4-2, 3.40 ERA) was on the mound against Andrew Bash (3-0, 2.08 ERA) of Buffalo.
Lehigh Valley got the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning when center fielder Justin Crawford hit a two-run single to right field scoring Erick Brito and Rodolfo Castro for a 2-0 lead.
Later, Lehigh Valley second baseman Otto Kemp hit Bash’s sweeper for a two-run home run at 354 feet to right field extending their lead to 4-0. It was Kemp’s 12th home run of the season and 42nd RBI of the year.
At the top of the sixth inning with one out, Buffalo shortstop Josh Rivera hit a two-run double to right field scoring Phil Clarke and Ryan McCarty. Lehigh Valley’s lead was now at 4-2. Lehigh Valley starter Kyle Tyler got the last two outs to end the inning. He finished the game pitching six innings, allowing one hit, two runs, one walk, and two strikeouts throwing 85 pitches, of which 55 were strikes.
Daniel Robert was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley at the top of the seventh inning. Robert loaded the bases with two outs when he got Josh Rivera to pop out toward shortstop Rodolfo Castro for the final out of the game.
The Lehigh Valley completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons. The win went to Lehigh Valley starter Kyle Tyler for his fifth win of the season and Daniel Robert earned his second save of the season. The loss went to Buffalo starter Andrew Bash.
The IronPigs and Bisons conclude the six-game series on Sunday at 6:45 pm. Purchase IronPigs tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
