The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (71-52, 25-24) and the Durham Bulls (70-51, 25-21) played game four on Friday night from Coca-Cola Park. Andrew Painter (4-5, 5.31 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Brian Van Belle (3-0, 2.04) of Durham.
At the top of the first inning, head umpire Jonathan Parra left the game after getting hit by a foul tip to the mask on his face. The game was delayed for several minutes before resuming.
The game was scoreless through four innings. At the top of the fifth inning, Durham right fielder Coco Montes hit an RBI double to left field. Tanner Murray scored for a 1-0 lead. It was Montes’s 16th double of the season. Painter had loaded the bases with one out. However, he struck out Cooper Hummel and Dominic Keegan to end the inning.
Lehigh Valley starter Andrew Painter pitched five innings. He allowed four hits, one run, four walks, and five strikeouts throwing 90 pitches, of which 57 were strikes.
Lehigh Valley’s offense got going in the bottom of the sixth inning. Center fielder Justin Crawford hit an RBI double to right field. Luis Verdugo scored, and the game was tied 1-1. It was Crawford’s 23rd double of the season. Next, third baseman Otto Kemp hit a two-run RBI single to right field. Johan Rojas and Justin Crawford scored. The IronPigs took a 3-1 lead.
Then, designated hitter Brew Hicklen grounded into a forceout at second base. Jamie Westbrook over first baseman Tre’ Morgan, and Otto Kemp scored for a 4-1 lead.
Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry hit an RBI double to left field. Brewer Hicklen scored, and Rodolfo Castro tried to score, but got caught at home plate for the final out of the inning. The IronPigs led the Bulls 5-1. It was Henry’s sixth double of the season. Moving to the top of the seventh inning, Durham first baseman Tre’ Morgan hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Coco Montes scored, and the Bulls trailed the IronPigs 5-2.
Daniel Robert pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. Robert struck out the side to end the game. The IronPigs defeated the Bulls 5-2 for their fourth win in a row. They also clinch the series with the win. Robert threw 10 pitches, of which 10 were strikes.
Lehigh Valley’s offense finished the night with nine hits, committed one error, went 3 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and left three men on base. Otto Kemp went 2 for 4 with two singles and two RBIs. The bullpen pitched four innings, allowing one hit, one run, four walks, and six strikeouts.
The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Lucas Sims. He pitched one inning with two strikeouts throwing 11 pitches, of which 7 were strikes. The loss went to Durham relief pitcher Ryan Shreve.
The IronPigs and Bulls play game five on Saturday at 6:35 pm.
