The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-15) concluded the six-game homestand from Coca-Cola Park on Sunday night against the Buffalo Bisons (18-31). Alan Rangel (2-0, 5.63 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Anders Tolhurst (1-0, 6.65 ERA) of Buffalo.
Lehigh Valley got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning when designated hitter Buddy Kennedy hit an RBI single to center field scoring Garrett Stubbs for a 1-0 lead.
At the top of the second inning, Buffalo designated hitter Will Robertson hit Rangel’s changeup for a solo home run at 375 feet to right field and the game was tied 1-1. It was Robertson’s fourth home run of the season.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley third baseman Otto Kemp hit a two-run RBI single to left field scoring Oscar Mercado and Rodolfo Castro to take a 3-1 lead. Kemp went 1 for 5 with a single and two RBIs.
Later, a grounded out by designated hitter Buddy Kennedy to third base scored Rafael Lantigua for a 4-1 lead. Kennedy finished the night going 2 for 5 with two singles and two RBIs. Then, a fielding error by Buffalo catcher Phil Clarke scored Otto Kemp making it 5-1.
In the bottom of the third inning, a throwing error by Buffalo catcher Phil Clark to third base allowed Oscar Mercado to score for a 6-1 lead. In the bottom of the fourth inning, a wild pitch by Buffalo pitcher Ryan Jennings brought home Buddy Kennedy making it 7-1.
Moving ahead to the top of the seventh inning, a forceout by Buffalo right fielder Alan Roden to second baseman Rafael Lantigua scored Phil Clark and it was now 7-2 Lehigh Valley.
Devin Sweet closed out the game for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. He threw eight pitches, of which seven were strikes to get the final three outs of the game. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs defeated the Buffalo Bisons by the final score of 7-2. The IronPigs take 5 of 6 from Buffalo in this series.
Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel pitched five innings, allowing five hits, one run, one walk, and nine strikeouts throwing 84 pitches, of which 55 were strikes for his third win of the season. The loss went to Buffalo starter Anders Tolhurst.
The IronPigs visit the Norfolk Tides to begin a six-game series starting on Tuesday at 6:35 pm. Purchase IronPigs tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
