The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (41-16) concluded the six-game series on Sunday afternoon against the Norfolk Tides (20-36) from Harbor Park. Alan Rangel (3-0, 5.26 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Chayce McDermott (0-1, 3.97 ERA).
In the bottom of the first inning, Norfolk right fielder Vimael Machín hit an RBI single to left field scoring Colton Cowser for a 1-0 lead. At the top of the second inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Justin Crawford hit an RBI single to right field scoring Cal Stevenson, and the game was tied 1-1.
Crawford finished the game going 3 for 5 with three singles, a walk, and stolen base, and four RBIs. Then, Lehigh Valley third baseman Otto Kemp hit a two-run RBI single to left field scoring Rafael Lantigua and Justin Crawford giving them a 3-1 lead.
Lehigh Valley blew the game wide open at the top of the third inning. First baseman Christian Arroyo hit an RBI double to center field scoring Buddy Kennedy for a 4-1 lead. It was his ninth double of the season. Next, a wild pitch by Norfolk pitcher Chayce McDermott scored Gabriel Rincones Jr. and it was now 5-1.
With the bases loaded, Lehigh Valley second baseman Rafael Lantigua worked a four-pitch walk scoring Christian Arroyo for a 6-1 lead. Then, left fielder Justin Crawford hit a two-run RBI single to center field scoring Rodolfo Castro and Cal Stevenson and it was now 8-1.
The bases were loaded once again with right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. up to bat. He hit Preston Johnson’s cutter for a grand slam home run at 377 feet to left-center field for a 12-1 lead. It was Rincones Jr.’s sixth home run of the season. He finished the game going 1 for 2 with a home run, three walks, and four RBIs.
In the bottom of the third inning, Norfolk catcher Samuel Basallo hit Rangel’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 410 feet to center field and it was now 12-2 Lehigh Valley. At the top of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Justin Crawford grounded into a forceout at second base and Cal Stevenson scored for a 13-2 lead.
Moving ahead to the bottom of the seventh inning, Norfolk left fielder Colton Cowser hit a two-run RBI double to right field scoring Luis Vazquez and Dylan Beavers. The score was now 13-4 Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs went on to defeat the Tides by the final score of 13-4, taking five of six games in Norfolk.
Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel won his sixth game of the season. He pitched six innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and six strikeouts throwing 86 pitches, of which 61 were strikes. The loss went to Norfolk starter Chayce McDermott.
The IronPigs continue their road trip by visiting Truist Field on Tuesday against the Charlotte Knights at 6:35 pm. Purchase IronPigs tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
