The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2-0) took on the Toledo Mud Hens (0-2) in game two of a three-game series from Coca-Cola Park. Zack Wheeler was on the mound for Lehigh Valley, making a rehab start against Bryan Sammons of Toledo.
Zack Wheeler pitched a scoreless shutout, going three innings, allowing two hits, one walk, and three strikeouts in 38 pitches, of which 26 were strikes.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning. Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base with two outs when designated hitter Felix Reyes hit Sammons’s cutter for an RBI soft line single to center field. Christian Cario scored for a 1-0 lead. With runners on the corners, Lehigh Valley right fielder Bryan De La Cruz struck out on a 90-mile-an-hour four-seam fastball by Cole Waites.
That was all the runs the IronPigs needed as the bullpen took care of business. The IronPigs shut out the Mud Hens by the final score of 1-0. It is the first time since 2023 that they started the 2-0.
Lehigh Valley finished the afternoon with seven hits, committed one error, went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, and left nine men on base. Designated hitter Felix Reyes went 1 for 4 with a single and one RBI.
The win went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Connor Gillispie. He pitched three innings, allowing one hit, two walks, and four strikeouts, throwing 49 pitches, of which 31 were strikes. The rest of Lehigh Valley’s bullpen pitched three innings, allowing one hit and one strikeout. The loss went to Toledo starter Bryan Sammons.
The IronPigs and Mud Hens conclude the three-game series on Sunday at 1:15 pm. Ryan Cusick will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Keider Montero of Toledo.
