The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (66-50, 20-22) played game three on Thursday night from Sahlen Field against the Buffalo Bisons (45-68, 15-25). Alan Rangel (5-3, 4.75 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Trey Yesavage (0-0, 0.00 ERA) of Buffalo.
At the top of the first inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded when first baseman Christian Arroyo worked a four-pitch walk. Justin Crawford scored for a 1-0 lead. Later, a sacrifice fly by catcher Garrett Stubbs scored Alec Bohm for a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Buffalo had a runner on third base with two outs. Lehigh Valley starter Alean Rangel was called for a balk, and Riley Tirotta scored. The score was now 2-1. A lineout by Buffalo second baseman Orelvis Martinez to left fielder Rafael Lantigua ended the inning.
Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel pitched three innings. He allowed one hit, one run, and four strikeouts throwing 37 pitches, of which 29 were strikes.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded. First baseman Christian Arroyo hit a two-run RBI single to right field. Luis Verdugo and Justin Crawford scored for a 4-1 lead. It was Arroyo’s 29th RBI of the season.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Buffalo had runners on the corners. First baseman Riley Tirotta grounded to shortstop Donovan Walton for a 6-4-3 double play. George Springer scored, and the score was now 4-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Buffalo had runners on first and second base. Center fielder Jonatan Clase hit Lucas Sims’s cutter for a three-run home run at 414 feet to right-center field. The Bisons took a 5-4 lead. It was Clase’s third home run of the season.
Then, right fielder Yohendrick Pinango hit an RBI double to right field. George Springer scored, and it was now 6-4. It was Pinango’s 12th double of the season.
Buffalo continued to pile on the runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Center fielder Jonatan Clase hit an RBI single to center field. Orelvis Martinez scored for a 7-4 lead. Then, left fielder R.J. Schreck hit a two-run RBI double to right field. Brandon Valenzuela and Jonatan Clase scored, making it 9-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Buffalo right fielder Yohendrick Pinango hit Daniel Robert’s sweeper for a solo home run at 417 feet to right-center field. It was now 10-4. For Pinango, it was his seventh home run of the season.
At the top of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley first baseman Christian Arroyo hit an RBI double to left field. Donovan Walton scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Bisons 10-5. That would be it for Lehigh Valley. They lost to the Bisons 10-5.
Lehigh Valley’s offense had 10 hits, committed one error, went 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position, and left 11 men on base. Alec Bohm finished the night 2 for 5 with a single and a triple. First baseman Christian Arroyo went 2 for 3 with a single, double, four RBIs, and one stolen base. The bullpen pitched five innings, allowing 11 hits, nine runs, six walks, and two strikeouts.
The loss went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Lucas Sims. It was his first loss of the season. He allowed two hits, four runs, and three walks throwing 38 pitches, of which 16 were strikes. The win went to Buffalo relief pitcher Paxton Schultz.
The IronPigs and Bisons play game four on Friday at 6:35 pm.
