The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (38-44, 3-4) visited ESL Ballpark on Tuesday night to begin a six-game series against the Rochester Red Wings (49-31, 4-3). Tucker Davidson was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Alex Young of Rochester. Before the game, the Phillies called up RHP Lou Trivino and sent RHP Chase Shugart to Lehigh Valley.
At the top of the first inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on the corners when designated hitter Bryan De La Cruz hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Dylan Moore for a 1-0 lead. With two outs, a groundout by Christian Cairo ended the inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, Rochester had a runner on first base when Yohandy Morales hit an RBI double to center field, scoring Seaver King that tied game 1-1. Later, Rochester had runners on second and third base when Harry Ford hit a two-run RBI single to left field, scoring Yohandy Morales and Brady House to give the Red Wings a 3-1 lead. With two outs, a flyout by Joey Wiemer ended the inning.
At the top of the second inning, Lehigh Valley had runners on the corners when Dylan Moore hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Steward Berroa, and the IronPigs trailed the Red Wings 3-2. With two outs, Keaton Anthony grounded into a forceout at second base to end the inning.
At the top of the third inning, Otto Kemp was on first base when catcher Paul McIntosh hit Chandler Champlain’s sweeper for a two-run home run at 363 feet to left field, giving the IronPigs a 4-3 lead. It was his fifth home run of the season. With two outs, a groundout by Steward Berroa ended the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, Rochester had runners on first and second base when Harry Ford hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Abimelec Ortiz and tying the game 4-4. With one out, Joey Wiemer grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
At the top of the fourth inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on third base when Keaton Anthony hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Dylan Carlson to put the IronPigs ahead 5-4. With two outs and the bases loaded, a flyout by Christian Cairo ended the inning.
Tucker Davidson went five innings, allowing six hits, four runs, three walks, and five strikeouts, throwing 79 pitches, of which 44 were strikes. Michael Mercado pitched for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mercado went two innings, allowing a hit, and struck out three, throwing 23 pitches, of which 16 were strikes.
At the top of the eighth inning with two outs, Lehigh Valley right fielder Dylan Carlson hit Cole Henry’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 395 feet to right field, extending its lead to 6-4. It was his sixth home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 99.8 mph. With two outs, a lineout by Dylan Moore ended the inning.
Tanner Banks pitched for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the eighth inning. He struck out two, throwing 12 pitches, of which nine were strikes, to get three outs. Nolan Hoffman pitched for Lehigh Valley in the bottom of the ninth inning. Hoffman threw nine pitches, of which six were strikes, to get the final three outs of the game. The IronPigs defeated the Red Wings 6-4.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with 12 hits, went 3 for 9 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. Dylan Carlson went 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI, while Paul McIntosh went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. The win went to Lehigh Valley starter Tucker Davidson (4-3), while Nolan Hoffman earned his fourth save of the season, and the loss went to Rochester pitcher Chandler Champlain (5-3).
The IronPigs and Red Wings play game two on Wednesday at 6:45 on the MLB App. Brian Keller (0-1, 2.70 ERA) will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Andry Lara (2-4, 5.45 ERA).
