The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (76-53, 30-25) played game four on Friday night against the Omaha Storm Chasers (55-74, 24-31) from Werner Park. Adonis Medina (0-3, 3.45 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against John Gant (4-3, 6.67 ERA) of Omaha.
At the top of the first inning, Lehigh Valley second baseman Rafael Lantigua hit into a fielder’s choice to shortstop Isan Díaz. A throwing error by Díaz allowed Justin Crawford to score. The IronPigs took a 1-0 lead.
At the top of the second inning, Lehigh Valley shortstop Rodolfo Castro hit Gant’s cutter for a three-run home run to left field. The IronPigs extended their lead to 4-0. It was Castro’s 17th home run of the season and 70th RBI of the year.
In the bottom of the second inning, Omaha second baseman Peyton Wilson hit an RBI single to right field. Bobby Dalbec scored, and Lehigh Valley’s lead was now 4-1. Then, first baseman Nick Pratto hit into a fielder’s choice to Lehigh Valley shortstop Rodolfo Castro. A throwing error by Castro scored Isan Díaz. The IronPigs led 4-2.
Lehigh Valley starter Adonis Medina pitched three innings. He allowed four hits, two runs, three walks, and three strikeouts throwing 72 pitches, of which 42 were strikes.
Moving to the bottom of the fourth inning, Omaha designated hitter Carter Jensen hit an RBI double to right field. Dairon Blanco scored, and it was now 4-3. It was Jensen’s 11th double of the season.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Omaha designated hitter Carter Jensen hit Lucas Sims’s cutter for a solo home run at 408 feet to right-center field. The game was tied 4-4. It was Jensen’s 14th home run of the season.
At the top of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley had the bases loaded when Omaha pitcher Ryan Hendrix walked Lehigh Valley second baseman Rafael Lantigua and designated hitter Paul McIntosh. The IronPigs led the Storm Chasers 6-4. Next, Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry hit an RBI soft ground ball to catcher Luca Tresh. Gabriel Rincones Jr. scored, and it was now 7-4.
Lehigh Valley first baseman Josh Breaux hit an RBI pop-up single to second baseman Peyton Wilson. Rafael Lantigua scored for an 8-4 lead. Then, shortstop Rodolfo Castro hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Paul McIntosh scored for a 9-4 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Paul McIntosh hit Brandon Johnson’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 419 feet to left field made it 10-4. It was McIntosh’s first home run of the season.
Then, Lehigh Valley catcher Payton Henry hit Johnson’s slider for a solo home run at 405 feet to center field for an 11-4 lead. It was Henry’s 10th home run of the season.
Phil Bickford pitched for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the ninth inning. Bickford struck out two batters, throwing 16 pitches, of which 10 were strikes to get the final three outs of the game. The IronPigs defeated the Storm Chasers 11-4 for their third straight win.
Lehigh Valley finished the game with 15 hits, committed one error, went 4 for 11 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on base. Payton Henry went 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Justin Crawford went 3 for 5 with two stolen bases, and Rodolfo Castro went 1 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs.
The win went to Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Lucas Sims. It was his third win of the season. He pitched two innings, allowing one hit, one run, two walks, and three strikeouts, throwing 40 pitches, of which 20 were strikes. The loss went to Omaha relief pitcher Ryan Hendrix.
The IronPigs and Storm Chasers play game five on Saturday at 7:05 pm.
