The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (48-28) played game two on Wednesday afternoon against the Buffalo Bisons (30-45) from Sahlen Field. Austin Schulfer (2-0, 4.80 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Anders Tolhurst (2-2, 6.53) of Buffalo. The game started with a one-hour rain delay.
The game was scoreless through the first five innings. At the top of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit an RBI single to shortstop Josh Rivera scoring Rafael Lantigua for a 1-0 lead. Next, right fielder Cal Stevenson hit an RBI single to center field scoring Justin Crawford for a 2-0 lead.
Lehigh Valley shortstop Rodolfo Castro grounded into a forceout at second base scoring Weston Wilson extending their lead to 3-0. Then, first baseman Josh Breaux hit a two-run RBI single to right field scoring Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Rodolfo Castro for a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Buffalo shortstop Josh Rivera hit an RBI double to left field scoring Orelvis Martinez cutting Lehigh Valley’s lead to 5-1. Lehigh Valley would get that run back at the top of the eighth inning when first baseman Josh Breaux hit an RBI single to left field scoring Cal Stevenson for a 6-1 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley picked up an insurance run when center fielder Justin Crawford hit Bobby Milacki’s cutter for a solo home run at 391 feet to right-center field for a 7-1 lead. It was Crawford’s second home run of the season.
Joel Kuhnel closed out the game for Lehigh Valley. He struck out one batter throwing 10 pitches, of which eight were strikes to get the final three outs of the game. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs defeated the Buffalo Bisons by the final score of 7-1.
Lehigh Valley had 10 hits in the game and went 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position. Lehigh Valley center fielder Justin Crawford went 3 for 4 with a single, a double, a home run, one walk, and one RBI. Lehigh Valley first baseman Josh Breaux went 2 for 4 with two singles and three RBIs, while right fielder Cal Stevenson went 2 for 3 with two singles, two walks, a stolen base, and one RBI.
Lehigh Valley starter Austin Schulfer pitched two innings, allowing one hit, two walks, and three strikeouts throwing 45 pitches, of which 26 were strikes. The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Lucas Sims for his first win of the season. He pitched one inning throwing 14 pitches, of which 10 were strikes. The loss went to Buffalo starter Anders Tolhurst.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game three on Thursday at 6:35 pm.
