The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (62-45, 16-17) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday night to start a seven-game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (64-31, 26-7).
Andrew Painter (3-3, 4.50 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Brendan Beck (3-1, 4.86 ERA) of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Yesterday, the Philadelphia Phillies released RHP Nabil Crismatt, infielder Matt Kroon, and outfielder Oscar Mercado. On Tuesday, the Phillies sent pitchers Seth Johnson and Joe Ross to Lehigh Valley.
At the top of the first inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre catcher J.C. Escarra hit an RBI double to left field. Spencer Jones scored for a 1-0 lead. It was Escarra’s first double of the season. Then, third baseman Jeimer Candelario hit a two-run RBI double to center field. T.J. Rumfield and J.C. Escarra scored to extend their lead to 3-0. It was Candelario’s tenth double of the season.
Then, right fielder Bryan De La Cruz hit an RBI double to left field. Jeimer Candelario scored for a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit Beck’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 437 feet to center field. The IronPigs trailed the RailRiders 4-1. It was Rincones Jr.’s 12th home run of the season.
At the top of the fourth inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre second baseman Jorbit Vivas hit an RBI double to right field. Duke Ellis scored for a 5-1 lead. That was it for Andrew Painter. He pitched four innings, allowing five hits, five runs, four walks, and four strikeouts throwing 90 pitches, of which 47 were strikes.
Moving to the top of the seventh inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre catcher J.C. Escarra hit a two-run RBI single to left field. Jorbit Vivas and Spencer Jones scored for a 7-1 lead.
Lehigh Valley’s offense struggled in this game. They had four hits and left five men on base. The bullpen pitched six innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and five strikeouts. Lehigh Valley starter Andrew Painter lost his fourth game of the season, and the win went to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Brendan Beck.
The IronPigs and RailRiders play a doubleheader on Wednesday beginning at 5:05 pm.
