The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (50-31) began a two-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (44-35) after Tuesday night’s game was rained out. Gabe Mosser (3-2, 5.01 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Cam Schlittler (2-1, 1.69 ERA) of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
At the top of the first inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre right fielder Everson Pereira hit an RBI single to right field scoring Jorbit Vivas for a 1-0 lead. Then, a sacrifice fly by first baseman T.J. Rumfield brought Jesus Rodriguez home for a 2-0 lead.
At the top of the third inning, a wild pitch by Lehigh Valley starter Gabe Mosser scored Jesus Rodriguez for a 3-0 lead. Then, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre catcher Alex Jackson hit Mosser’s sinker for a three-run home run at 451 feet to center field extending their lead to 6-0.
Lehigh Valley began a comeback in the bottom of the third inning. Center fielder Justin Crawford hit an RBI bunt single to pitcher Cam Schlittler. A throwing error by Schlittler scored Rafael Lantigua and it was now 6-1.
Then, with the bases loaded, Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry, who replaced Garrett Stubbs, hit Schlittler’s sweeper for a grand slam home run at 425 feet to center field and it was now 6-5. It was Henry’s fifth home run of the season and the fourth grand slam by Lehigh Valley this season.
A groundout by right fielder Oscar Mercado scored Keaton Anthony and the game was tied 6-6. Then, left fielder Cal Stevenson hit an RBI single to center field scoring Gabriel Rincones Jr. for a 7-6 lead.
The lead did not last long. At the top of the fifth inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre center fielder Spencer Jones hit a solo home run, and catcher Alex Jackson hit a two-run home run giving the RailRiders a 9-7 lead. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry grounded into a double play scoring Rodolfo Castro and it was now 9-8. The IronPigs have now lost three straight games.
Lehigh Valley was unable to complete another comeback and ended up losing to the RailRiders by the final score of 9-8. The IronPigs had 11 hits, 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. Lehigh Valley starter Gabe Mosser lost his third game of the season.
Mosser pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 10 hits, 9 runs, one walk, and four strikeouts throwing 89 pitches, of which 59 were strikes. The win went to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre relief pitcher Zach Messinger and Harrison Cohen earned the save. Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry went 2 for 4 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs.
The IronPigs conclude the homestand against the RailRiders on Thursday at 7:05 pm.
