The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (81-55, 35-27) concluded the six-game series from Coca-Cola Park on Sunday afternoon against the Toledo Mud Hens (76-62, 37-26). Mitch Neunborn (0-2, 5.49 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Lael Lockhart (3-7, 5.80 ERA) of Toledo.
At the top of the second inning, Toledo designated hitter Max Anderson hit Neunborn’s four-seam fastball for a two-run home run at 412 feet to right-center field for a 2-0 lead. It was Anderson’s fourth home run of the season.
Later, Toledo right fielder Riley Unroe hit Neunborn’s four-seam fastball for a two-run home run at 353 feet to right field. The IronPigs trailed the Mud Hens 4-0. It was Unroe’s third home run of the season.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Toledo right fielder Riley Unroe hit an RBI single that deflected off Lehigh Valley second baseman Rafael Lantigua and into right field. Andrew Navigato scored, and it was now 5-0.
Lehigh Valley starter Mitch Neunborn pitched three innings. He allowed five hits, five runs, four walks, and two strikeouts throwing 79 pitches, of which 42 were strikes. Ryan Cusick was the new pitcher for Lehigh Valley.
Toledo shortstop Trei Cruz stole second. A throwing error by catcher Paul McIntosh allowed Riley Unroe to score for a 6-0 lead. Then, Toledo catcher Eduardo Valencia hit an RBI single to right field. Trei Cruz scored for a 7-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Toledo pitcher Lael Lockhart threw a wild pitch. Brewer Hicklen scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Mud Hens 7-1.
Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley shortstop Rodolfo Castro hit an RBI single to center field. Brewer Hicklen scored, and it was now 7-2. At the top of the seventh inning, Toledo would get the run back when catcher Eduardo Valencia hit Michael Mercado’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 415 feet to center field for an 8-2 lead.
It was Valencia’s 11th home run of the season. Then, Toledo center fielder Gage Workman hit Mercado’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 380 feet to left-center field for a 9-2 lead. It was Workman’s 13th home run of the season.
Moving to the top of the eighth inning, Toledo had the bases loaded when Lehigh Valley relief pitcher Andrew Bechtold walked Jace Jung. Trei Cruz scored for a 10-2 lead. Then, Toledo center fielder Gage Workman hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Brian Serven scored for an 11-2 lead.
At the top of the ninth inning, Toledo first baseman Andrew Navigato hit Daniel Harper’s sinker for a solo home run at 348 feet to left field for a 12-2 lead. Next, Toledo shortstop Trei Cruz hit an RBI single to center field Riley Unroe scored for a 13-2 lead. Then, second baseman Jace Jung hit Harper’s changeup for a three-run home run at 410 feet to right field for a 16-2 lead.
That would be it, as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs lose to the Toledo Mud Hens 16-2. The IronPigs take 4 of 6 from Toledo. They finished the afternoon with five hits, committed one error, 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base.
The bullpen pitched six innings, allowing nine hits, nine runs, four walks, and six strikeouts. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Mitch Neunborn. It was his third loss of the season, and the win went to Toledo starter Lael Lockhart.
The IronPigs begin a crucial six-game series at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders starting on Tuesday at 6:45 pm.
