The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (58-39, 12-11) played game three on Thursday night against the Norfolk Tides (38-57, 8-14) from Coca-Cola Park. Andrew Painter (3-3, 5.01 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Cade Povich (0-1, 4.70 ERA) of Norfolk.
At the top of the fourth inning, Norfolk first baseman Ryan Mountcastle hit Painter’s curveball for a two-run home run at 351 feet to left field for a 2-0 lead. It was Mountcastle’s first home run of the season. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Josh Breaux hit an RBI single to left field. Justin Crawford scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Tides 2-1.
Later, Lehigh Valley third baseman Rafael Lantigua hit a sacrifice fly to right field. Keaton Anthony scored, and the game was tied 2-2. Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Josh Breaux hit an RBI single to left field. Oscar Mercado scored, and the IronPigs took a 3-2 lead. It was Breaux’s eighth RBI of the year.
Lehigh Valley starter Andrew Painter pitched six innings. He allowed one hit, two runs, three walks, and four strikeouts throwing 76 pitches, of which 44 were strikes. At the top of the seventh inning, Brett de Geus was the pitcher for Lehigh Valley. Norfolk third baseman Emmanuel Rivera hit an RBI single to center field. Jeremiah Jackson scored, and the game was tied 3-3.
In the bottom of the ninth inning. Lehigh Valley had a runner on first base. Pinch hitter Cal Stevenson hit Matt Bowman’s sinker for a game-winning two-run home run at 368 feet to right-center field. The IronPigs defeated the Tides 5-3 for their third straight win.
Lehigh Valley finished the game with seven hits, committed one error, went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position, and left six men on base. The bullpen pitched three innings, allowing four hits, one run, and one walk. The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Phil Bickford for his first win of the season as an IronPig. He pitched one inning, allowing one walk. The loss went to Norfolk relief pitcher Matt Bowman.
The IronPigs and Tides play game four on Friday at 7:05 pm.
