The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (86-60, 40-32) played game four on Friday night against the Syracuse Mets (76-72, 45-28) from Coca-Cola Park. Mitch Neunborn (0-4, 8.10 ERA) was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Luis Moreno (2-1, 7.89 ERA) of Syracuse.
Before the game, the Philadelphia Phillies made several moves. They reinstated infielder Alec Bohm from the 10-day IL. To make room, they sent back infielder Rafael Lantigua to Lehigh Valley, and Brewer Hicklen cleared waivers and was sent back to Lehigh Valley.
At the top of the first inning, Syracuse right fielder Carson Benge hit an RBI single to right field. Ryan Clifford scored, and the Mets took a 1-0 lead.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Syracuse right fielder Carson Benge hit an RBI triple to right field. Jared Young scored for a 2-0 lead. Next, designated hitter Jose Azocar hit an RBI triple to left field. Carson Benge scored for a 3-0 lead. Third baseman Luke Ritter hit an RBI single to left field. Jose Azocar scored, and it was now 4-0.
Then, second baseman Jett Williams hit Neunborn’s four-seam fastball for a two-run home run at 391 feet to left field. The IronPigs trailed the Mets 6-0. It was Williams’s sixth home run of the season. Mitch Neunborn pitched four innings. He allowed seven hits, six runs, one walk, and two strikeouts, throwing 79 pitches, of which 49 were strikes.
At the top of the sixth inning, Syracuse center fielder Tyrone Taylor hit an RBI single to left field. Kevin Parada scored, and it was now 7-0. Moving to the top of the eighth inning, Syracuse right fielder Gilberto Celestino grounded out to shortstop Luis Verdugo. Jett Williams scored for an 8-0 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Lehigh Valley avoided the shutout when first baseman Josh Breaux hit Oliver Ortega’s curveball for a solo home run at 347 feet to left field. The IronPigs trailed the Mets 8-1. It was Breaux’s second home run of the season.
That was hit for Lehigh Valley. They lost to the Mets 8-1. Lehigh Valley finished the night with four hits, went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position, and left five men on base. Josh Breaux went 1 for 2 with a home run and one RBI.
The bullpen pitched five innings. They allowed five hits, two runs, three walks, and three strikeouts. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Mitch Neunborn, and the win went to Syracuse relief pitcher Alex Carrillo.
The IronPigs and Mets play game five on Saturday at 6:35 pm.
