The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (43-17) and the Charlotte Knights (28-32) played game three on Thursday night from Truist Field. Gabe Moser (0-1, 4.50 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Tyler Schweitzer (1-1, 7.58 ERA) of Charlotte.
At the top of the first inning, Lehigh Valley first baseman Buddy Kennedy and designated hitter Christian Arroyo hit RBI singles putting the IronPigs up 2-0. In the bottom of the first inning, Charlotte shortstop Colson Montgomery hit a solo home run to center field and it was now 2-1 Lehigh Valley.
At the top of the second inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded when Otto Kemp worked a four-pitch walk scoring Rodolfo Castro for a 3-1 lead. Next, Lehigh Valley center fielder Justin Crawford hit a two-run RBI double to left field scoring Erick Brito and Rafael Lantigua extending their lead 5-1. It was Crawford’s 12th double of the season.
Then, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Christian Arroyo hit a two-run RBI single to center field scoring Otto Kemp and Justin Crawford for a 7-1 lead. Lehigh Valley right fielder Oscar Mercado hit an RBI single to left field scoring Christian Arroyo for an 8-1 lead.
At the top of the third inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Justin Crawford hit an RBI single to left field scoring Rafael Lantigua for a 9-1 lead. Moving to the top of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley first baseman Buddy Kennedy hit an RBI single left field scoring Erick Brito making it 10-1.
Lehigh Valley center fielder Justin Crawford was pulled from the game at the of the fifth inning and replaced by Gabriel Rincones Jr. Crawford was seen stretching out his quad during the game.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Charlotte center fielder Brooks Baldwin hit an RBI double and shortstop Colson Montgomery hit a two-run home run to right field cutting Lehigh Valley’s lead down to 10-4.
Moving to the top of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit an RBI single to right field scoring Erick Brito for an 11-4 lead. That was all the runs Lehigh Valley needed as they defeated the Charlotte Knights by the final score of 11-4.
Before leaving the game, Justin Crawford finished the night 3 for 3 with a double, two singles, a stolen base, and three RBIs. Lehigh Valley designated hitter Christian Arroyo went 2 for 5 with two singles and three RBIs.
Lehigh Valley starter Gabe Moser won his first game of the season. He pitched five innings, allowing four hits, four runs, three walks, and six strikeouts throwing 83 pitches, of which 50 were strikes. The loss went to Charlotte starter Tyler Schweitzer.
The IronPigs and Knights play game three on Friday at 6:05 pm. Purchase IronPigs tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
