The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (79-54, 33-26) played game three on Thursday night against the Toledo Mud Hens (75-60, 36-24) from Coca-Cola Park. Gabe Mosser (3-4, 5.66 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Jordan Balazovic (5-1, 3.68 ERA) of Toledo.
At the top of the first inning, Justin Crawford and Otto Kemp were chasing a fly ball before Kemp’s shoulder made contact with Crawford’s chin. Crawford left the game, and Oscar Mercado took over at left field, while Kemp remained in the game.
In the bottom of the second inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Brewer Hicklen hit Balazovic’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 400 feet to center field for a 1-0 lead. It was Hicklen’s 14th home run of the season and 50th RBI of the year.
In the bottom of the third inning, Lehigh Valley second baseman Rafael Lantigua hit an RBI single to right field. Johan Rojas scored, and it was now 2-0. Later, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and third base when Toledo pitcher R.J. Petit threw a wild pitch, and Otto Kemp scored. The IronPigs extended their lead to 3-0.
At the top of the sixth inning, Toledo left fielder Andrew Navigato hit Mosser’s curveball for a solo home run at 391 feet to left field. Lehigh Valley’s lead was now 3-1. It was his ninth home run of the season.
Later, Toledo had the bases loaded when second baseman Jace Jung hit a two-run RBI single to right field. Parker Meadows and Hao-Yu Lee scored, and the game was tied 3-3. Then, Toledo catcher Eduardo Valencia hit Jacob Waguespack’s cutter for a three-run home run at 416 feet to center field. The IronPigs trailed the Mud Hens 6-3. It was Waguespack’s eighth home run of the season.
Lehigh Valley starter Gabe Mosser pitched five innings. He allowed seven hits, five runs, two walks, and two strikeouts throwing 73 pitches, of which 46 were strikes. Shortly after, the rain began to fall at Coca-Cola Park.
The rain did not let up, and the game was suspended, and it resumed on Friday. At the top of the seventh inning, Toledo catcher Eduardo Valencia hit Devin Sweet’s slider for a three-run home run at 377 feet to left field. The IronPigs trailed the Mud Hens 9-3. It was his eighth home run of the season.
At the top of the eighth inning, Toledo third baseman Hao-Yu Lee hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Gage Workman, and it was now 10-3. Next, second baseman Jace Jung hit a two-run RBI double to center field. Riley Unroe and Akil Baddoo scored for a 12-3 lead. It was his 23rd double of the season. Then, catcher Eduardo Valencia hit Daniel Harper’s four-seam fastball for a two-run home run at 376 feet to right-center field. It was now 14-3.
At the top of the ninth inning, Toledo left fielder Andrew Navigato hit an RBI single to center field. Kevin Newman scored for a 15-3 lead. Then, third baseman Hao-Yu Lee hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Greg Workman scored for a 16-3 lead.
That was it for Lehigh Valley as they allowed 16 unanswered runs to see their six-game winning streak come to an end with a 16-3 loss. Lehigh Valley finished the game with six hits, went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position, and left six men on base. Brewer Hicklen went 1 for 4 with a home run and one RBI.
The bullpen pitched 3.3 innings, allowing eight hits, 11 runs, seven walks, and two strikeouts. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Gabe Mosser. It was his fifth loss of the season. The win went to Toledo relief pitcher R.J. Petit.
The IronPigs and Mud Hens play game four on Friday at 7:05 pm.
