The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (60-40, 14-12) concluded a six-game series on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park against the Norfolk Tides (39-59, 9-16). Nabil Crismatt (5-5, 3.74 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Thaddeus Ward (6-6, 6.24 ERA) of Norfolk.
At the top of the first inning, Norfolk third baseman Vimael Machín hit an RBI double to center field. Dylan Beavers scored as the Tides took a 1-0 lead. It was his 21st double of the season.
Next, first baseman Emmanuel Rivera hit an RBI single to right field. Samuel Basallo scored for a 2-0 lead. Then, Lehigh Valley starter Nabil Crismatt walked Terrin Vavra. A fielding error by shortstop Donovan Walton scored Vimael Machín, and it was now 3-0.
At the top of the second inning, Norfolk designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle hit an RBI double to left field. Dylan Beavers scored, and it was now 4-0. It was Mountcastle’s second double of the season. Then, first baseman Emmanuel Rivera hit Crismatt’s sinker for a two-run home run to left field. Norfolk extended its lead to 6-0. It was Rivera’s first home run of the season.
Lehigh Valley starter Nabil Crismatt pitched three innings. He allowed nine hits, six runs, two walks, and one strikeout throwing 69 pitches, of which 42 were strikes.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Norfolk shortstop Luis Vázquez hit a two-run RBI single. Vimael Machín and Emmanuel Rivera scored, and it was now 8-0.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit an RBI single to center field. Garrett Stubbs scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Tides 8-1. It was Rincones Jr.’s 47th RBI of the season.
Moving to the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley shortstop Donovan Walton hit Jose Espada’s four-seam fastball for a two-run home run at 379 feet to right field. The IronPigs trailed the Tides 8-3.
At the top of the ninth inning, Norfolk third baseman Vimael Machín hit a two-run RBI double to left field. Jordyn Adams and Silas Ardoin scored for a 10-3 lead. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Cal Stevenson hit Vinny Nittoli’s curveball for a solo home run at 373 feet to left-center field. The IronPigs trailed the Tides 10-4. It was Stevenson’s sixth home run of the season.
That would be it for Lehigh Valley, which saw its five-game winning streak come to an end with a 10-4 loss to the Tides. The IronPigs take 5 of 6 games from Norfolk.
Lehigh Valley finished the afternoon with 10 hits, committed one error, went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position, and left 10 men on base. Lehigh Valley’s bullpen finished the afternoon pitching six innings, allowing six hits, four runs, seven walks, and six strikeouts.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Nabil Crismatt. It was his sixth loss of the season, and the win went to Norfolk starter Thaddeus Ward.
The IronPigs hit the road on Tuesday for a six-game series against the Worcester Red Sox at 6:45 pm.
