The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (66-49, 20-21) and the Buffalo Bisons (44-68, 14-25) played game two on Wednesday afternoon from Sahlen Field. Gabe Mosser (3-3, 6.08 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Trey Yesavage (0-0, 0.00 ERA) of Buffalo.
In the bottom of the first inning, Buffalo center fielder R.J. Schreck hit a two-run RBI double to right field. Jonatan Clase and Michael Stefanic scored for a 2-0 lead. It was his fourth double of the season. Later, designated hitter Yohendrick Pinango hit an RBI double to right field. R.J. Schreck scored for a 3-0 lead. It was Pinango’s 11th double of the season.
Then, shortstop Josh Rivera hit an RBI single to center field. Phil Clarke scored, and the Bisons extended their lead to 4-0. Lehigh Valley began to make a comeback. At the top of the second inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Justin Crawford hit a two-run RBI double to right field. Rafael Lantigua and Robert Moore scored. The IronPigs trailed the Bisons 4-2. It was Crawford’s 20th double of the season.
Later, designated hitter Alec Bohm grounded out to third baseman Riley Tirotta, but Luis Verdugo scored, and it was now 4-3. At the top of the fourth inning, center fielder Justin Crawford hit a sacrifice bunt to third baseman Riley Tirotta. Rafael Lantigua scored, and the game was tied 4-4.
Lehigh Valley starter Gabe Mosser pitched four innings. He allowed five hits, four runs, two walks, and two strikeouts throwing 90 pitches, of which 52 were strikes.
Moving to the top of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley right fielder Brewer Hicklen hit an RBI single to right field. Donovan Walton scored, and the IronPigs took a 5-4 lead. At the top of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Alec Bohm hit Adam Macko’s slider for a solo home run at 404 feet to left-center field for a 6-4 lead. It was Bohm’s first home run of the season.
At the top of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley third baseman Robert Moore hit Adam Macko’s slider for a two-run home run at 379 feet to left-center field for an 8-4 lead. It was Moore’s first home run of the season.
At the top of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner at third base. Second baseman Donovan Walton hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Justin Crawford scored for a 9-4 lead.
Phil Bickford pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. Bickford struck out one, throwing 16 pitches, of which 11 were strikes, as the IronPigs defeated the Bisons 9-4 to snap a two-game losing streak.
Lehigh Valley’s offense had eight hits, went 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. Designated hitter Alec Bohm went 1 for 4 with a walk, a home run, and two RBIs. Justin Crawford went 2 for 4 with a double, a stolen base, and three RBIs.
The bullpen pitched five innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and five strikeouts. The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Daniel Harper. He pitched one inning and allowed one walk throwing 21 pitches, of which 12 were strikes. The loss went to Buffalo relief pitcher Adam Macko.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game three on Thursday at 6:35 pm.
