The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (34-39) took on the Worcester Red Sox (35-34) in game four on Friday night from Coca-Cola Park. Chuck King was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Brayan Bello of Worcester.
In the bottom of the first inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base with one out when first baseman Keaton Anthony hit a two-run RBI double to left field. Christian Cairo and Otto Kemp scored to put the IronPigs up 2-0. With two outs, Bryan De La Cruz grounded into a forceout at second base, and the inning was over.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Worcester had runners on second and third base with two outs when Matt Thaiss hit a two-run RBI single to center field, scoring Anthony Seigler, and Mikey Romero scored, tying the game 2-2. A flyout by Nathan Hickey ended the inning.
At the top of the fifth inning, Worcester left fielder Tyler McDonough hit King’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 455 feet to right-center field to give the Red Sox a 3-2 lead. It was his third home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 106.5 mph. After the home run, Chuck King struck out the side to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehigh Valley designated hitter Felex Reyes hit a single to left field and later stole second base. Otto Kemp hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Reyes, and the game was tied 3-3. Kemp was caught stealing second base for the second out. Keaton Anthony worked a four-pitch walk, and Bryan De La Cruz hit a single to center field. After a pitching change by Worcester, Carter Kieboom lined out to third base, and the inning was over.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley left fielder Otto Kemp hit Angel Bastardo’s changeup for a solo home run at 416 feet to the berm at center field, giving the IronPigs a 4-3 lead. It was his sixth home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 104 mph. Lehigh Valley first baseman Keaton Anthony hit a single to center field before Bryan De La Cruz struck out on a foul tip, and the inning was over.
Chuck King went seven innings, allowing six hits, three runs, one walk, and four strikeouts, throwing 89 pitches, of which 58 were strikes. Michael Mercado pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the eighth inning. He struck out one, throwing 10 pitches, of which six were strikes, to get three outs.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley added insurance runs. Lehigh Valley had runners on first and second base when shortstop Christian Cairo hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Carter Kieboom for a 5-3 lead. Cairo stole second base, and Felix Reyes hit a two-run RBI single on a pop-up to pitcher Seth Martinez. The ball was deflected by shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng. Dylan Carlson and Christian Cairo scored for a 7-3 lead.
Otto Kemp hit a single to right field, moving Reyes to third base. Keaton Antony followed up by hitting an RBI single to center field, scoring Reyes for an 8-3 lead. Bryan De Cruz hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Kemp for a 9-3 lead. Paul McIntosh popped out to first base, and the inning was over.
Mercado closed the game out at the top of the ninth inning. He allowed a walk, struck out three, throwing 28 pitches, of which 15 were strikes, to get the final six outs of the game. The IronPigs defeated the Red Sox 9-3 for their second straight win.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with 16 hits, went 7 of 13 with runners in scoring position, and left 10 men on base. Keaton Anthony went 3-4 with a double, a walk, and three RBIs. Otto Kemp went 4 for 4 with a home run, a hit by a pitch, and two RBIs. The win went to Lehigh Valley starter Chuck King (4-3), while Michael Mercado earned his first save of the season, and the loss went to Worcester pitcher Angel Bastardo (2-1).
The IronPigs and Red Sox play game five on Saturday at 6:35 pm on the MLB App. Drake Fellows (0-1, 5.82 ERA) will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while Worcester have yet to have a starter.
