The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (51-31) concluded the homestand portion of this series from Coca-Cola Park on Thursday night against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (44-36). Andrew Painter (3-2, 4.24 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 4.95 ERA) of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The game started with a one-hour and twenty-minute rain delay.
Before the game began, the Phillies released RHP Nabil Crismatt. He finishes his Lehigh Valley career with four wins and five losses, with a 3.81 ERA, allowing 77 hits, 37 runs, 34 earned runs, 11 home runs, and 34 walks pitching 80.1 innings in 15 games.
In the bottom of the first inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Weston Wilson hit an RBI single to left field scoring Justin Crawford for a 1-0 lead. It was Wilson’s seventh RBI of the season.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre designated hitter Everson Pereira hit an RBI single to center field scoring Spencer Jones and the game was tied 1-1.
Next, second baseman Jose Rojas hit an RBI single to right field scoring Pereira for a 2-1 lead. Then, shortstop Andrew Velazquez hit a two-run RBI double to center field scoring T.J. Rumfield and Jose Rojas to extend their lead 4-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, a balk was called on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitcher Carlos Carrasco and Weston Wilson scored. The IronPigs trailed the RailRiders 4-2.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded. Left fielder Weston Wilson hit a two-run RBI double to left field scoring Rafael Lantigua and Rodolfo Castro to tie the game 4-4.
At the top of the eighth inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre right fielder Bryan De La Cruz grounded into a double play, but T.J. Rumfield scored for a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and the bases loaded. Lehigh Valley first baseman Keaton Anthony hit the game-winning two-run RBI single to right field scoring Weston Wilson and Gabriel Rincones Jr. for a 6-5 win. Lehigh Valley snaps a three-game losing streak.
Lehigh Valley left fielder Weston Wilson went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double, and three RBIs. The IronPigs had 10 hits, committed one error, went 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on base.
Lehigh Valley starter Andrew Painter pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, four runs, one walk, and seven strikeouts throwing 95 pitches, of which 65 were strikes. The win went to relief pitcher Michael Mercado. He pitched one inning with two strikeouts throwing 13 pitches, of which seven were strikes. The loss went to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre relief pitcher Leonardo Pestana.
Lehigh Valley now heads to PNC Field to continue the series with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday at 6:35 pm.
