The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (59-39, 13-11) and the Norfolk Tides (38-58, 8-15) played game four on Friday night from Coca-Cola Park. Mick Abel (7-2, 1.83 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Kyle Brnovich (2-3, 6.19 ERA) of Norfolk.
At the top of the first inning, former IronPig and Norfolk left fielder Vimael Machín hit Abel’s slider for a three-run home run at 384 feet to right-center field for a 3-0 lead. It was his 13th home run of the season.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley shortstop Donovan Walton grounded into a forceout at second base, but Garrett Stubbs scored. The IronPigs trailed the Tides 3-1. It was Walton’s 11th RBI of the season.
At the top of the third inning, Norfolk shortstop Samuel Basallo hit an RBI double to left field. Adley Rutschman scored, and the Tides extended their lead to 4-1. It was hit 13th double of the season. Moving to the top of the fifth inning, Norfolk center fielder Jordyn Adams hit an RBI single to right field. Emmanuel Rivera scored, and it was now 5-1.
That would be it for Mick Abel. He pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, three walks, and five strikeouts throwing 86 pitches, of which 49 were strikes. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Cal Stevenson hit an RBI single to center field. Rafael Lantigua scored, and it was now 5-2. Then, Lehigh Valley catcher Garrett Stubbs hit an RBI double to right field. Cal Stevenson scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Tides 5-3.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second. Second baseman Rafael Lantigua hit a two-run RBI double to center field. Josh Breaux and Donovan Walton scored, and the game was tied 5-5. It was Lantigua’s 11th double of the season.
At the top of the seventh inning, Norfolk first baseman Samuel Basallo hit Devin Sweet’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 362 feet to left-center field, giving the Tides a 6-5 lead. It was his 20th home run of the year.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded for first baseman Keaton Anthony. Anthony hit a two-run RBI single to left field. Rafael Lantigua and Justin Crawford scored to give the IronPigs a 7-6 lead.
Guillo Zuñiga closed out the game at the top of the ninth inning. After giving up a single to Samuel Basallo, he struck out T.T. Bowens and Vimael Machín, followed by a Heston Kjerstad groundout to end the game. The IronPigs defeated the Tides 7-6 for their fourth win in a row.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with seven hits, went 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position, and left nine men on base. The bullpen pitched five innings, allowing four hits, one run, two walks, and four strikeouts.
The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Nolan Hoffman for his second win of the season. He pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one strikeout throwing 19 pitches, of which 12 were strikes. The loss went to Norfolk relief pitcher Levi Stoudt.
The IronPigs and Tides play game five on Saturday at 6:35 pm.
