The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (85-58, 39-30) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday night to begin the final week of the regular season against the Syracuse Mets (74-71, 43-27). Alan Rangel (5-3, 4.47 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Jonathan Pintaro (1-3, 6.46 ERA) of Syracuse.
Before the game, the Philadelphia Phillies called up infielder Rafael Lantigua, and Brewer Hicklen was designated for assignment. If he is not claimed, he could return to Lehigh Valley.
At the top of the first inning, Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel was called for a balk. Jett Williams scored, and the Mets took a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first inning, Lehigh Valley shortstop Aidan Miller hit Pintaro’s cutter for a solo home run at 342 feet to left field, and the game was tied 1-1. It was Miller’s first Triple-A home run of the season.
At the top of the fifth inning, Syracuse designated hitter Kevin Parada hit an RBI single to center field. Jose Azocar scored, and the IronPigs trailed the Mets 2-1. Then, Syracuse third baseman Luke Ritter hit Rangel’s slider for a solo home run at 343 feet to left field for a 3-1 lead. It was Ritter’s 10th home run of the season.
Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel pitched five innings. He allowed five hits, three runs, and struck out three throwing 80 pitches, of which 54 were strikes. At the top of the sixth inning, Syracuse first baseman Jared Young hit an RBI double to center field. Ryan Clifford scored for a 4-1 lead. It was Young’s 14th double of the season.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Felix Reyes hit Kevin Herget’s changeup for a two-run home run at 344 feet to left field. The IronPigs trailed the Mets 4-3. It was Reyes’s first home run of the season.
That was all for Lehigh Valley. They lost to the Mets 4-3. Lehigh Valley finished the night with seven hits, went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, and left nine men on base. With the loss and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre defeating Buffalo 3-1, Lehigh Valley has been eliminated from playoff contention. Aidan Miller went 1 for 3 with two walks, a stolen base, a home run, and one RBI. Felix Reyes went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.
Lehigh Valley’s bullpen pitched four innings. They allowed two hits, one run, three walks, and four strikeouts. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel. The win went to Syracuse relief pitcher Kevin Herget, and Wander Suero earned the save.
The IronPigs and Mets play game two on Wednesday at 6:45 pm.
