The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (67-52, 21-24) concluded the six-game series on Sunday afternoon from Sahlen Field against the Buffalo Bisons (47-69, 17-26) for the final time of the 2025 season. Mitch Neunborn (0-1, 3.38 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Easton Lucas (2-3, 4.70 ERA) of Buffalo.
Before the game, the Philadelphia Phillies made several moves. They activated RHP Aaron Nola and infielder Alec Bohm from their rehab assignments. Next, they released outfielder Cal Stevenson and sent infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp back to Lehigh Valley.
In the bottom of the first inning, Buffalo designated hitter Jonatan Clase hit Neunborn’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 394 feet to right-center field for a 1-0 lead. It was his fourth home run of the season.
Moving to the bottom of the third inning, Buffalo first baseman Brandon Valenzuela hit an RBI double to right field. Yohendrick Pinango scored for a 2-0 lead. It was his first double of the season.
Lehigh Valley starter Michael Neunborn pitched 3.2 innings. He allowed four hits, two runs, three walks, and three strikeouts throwing 76 pitches, of which 42 were strikes.
At the top of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Johan Rojas hit his first triple of the season to center field. Then, designated hitter Justin Crawford hit an RBI double to center field. Rojas scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Bisons 2-1. It was Crawford’s 22nd double of the season.
Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, Buffalo shortstop Josh Rivera hit Guillo Zuñiga’s sinker for a three-run home run at 401 feet to center field to extend their lead 5-1. It was Rivera’s fifth home run of the season.
At the top of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on the corners for left fielder Brewer Hicklen. He grounded into a forceout at second base, but Rodolfo Castro scored. The IronPigs trailed the Bisons 5-2. Then, third baseman Robert Moore hit a two-run RBI double to right field. Brewer Hicklen and Rafael Lantigua scored, and the score was now 5-4. It was Moore’s second double of the season.
Lehigh Valley could not complete the comeback, as they lost to the Bisons 5-4. They take 2 of 6 from the Bisons and win the season series 11-7. The offense finished the afternoon with eight hits, committed one error, went 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on base. Robert Moore went 1 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
The bullpen pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four hits, three runs, three walks, and three strikeouts. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Mitch Neunborn for his second loss of the season. The win went to Buffalo starter Easton Lucas.
The IronPigs return to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday against the Durham Bulls for a six-game series at 6:45 pm.
