The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (42-46, 7-6) returned to Coca-Cola Park on Tuesday afternoon to begin a six-game homestand against the Columbus Clippers (48-39, 7-6). Brian Keller was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Trenton Denholm of Columbus.
In the bottom of the first inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on second base when first baseman Keaton Anthony hit an RBI double to left field, scoring Dylan Moore to put the IronPigs ahead 1-0. With two outs, Otto Kemp struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
At the top of the fifth inning, Columbus had runners on the corners with nobody out when George Valera grounded out to second baseman Robert Moore, scoring Bo Naylor, and the game was tied 1-1. Keller got the next two outs to end the inning.
Lehigh Valley starter Brian Keller went six innings, allowing four hits, one run, and six strikeouts, throwing 74 pitches, of which 53 were strikes. Kirby Snead pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the seventh inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Lehigh Valley had a runner on first base when Dylan Moore hit an RBI double to center field, scoring Robert Moore to give the IronPigs a 2-1 lead. With two outs, a flyout by Felix Reyes ended the inning.
At the top of the eighth inning, Kirby Snead walked a batter with one out before he was replaced by Nolan Hoffman. Two batters later, Ralphy Velazquez hit an RBI double to left field, scoring Angel Genao, tying the game 2-2. With two outs, a groundout by George Valera ended the inning. Kirby Snead went 1.1 innings, allowing two hits, one run, two walks, and two strikeouts, throwing 33 pitches, of which 18 were strikes. Nolan Hoffman allowed two hits, a walk, and struck out one, throwing 22 pitches, of which 14 were strikes.
Michael Mercado pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. He pitched two innings, striking out one, throwing 25 pitches, of which 16 were strikes. The game went into extra innings.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, Felix Reyes was at second base. Bryan De La Cruz hit a double, and Dylan Carlson walked, which loaded the bases for Otto Kemp. On the first pitch, Kemp hit a walk-off RBI single to left field, scoring Reyes, and the IronPigs defeated the Clippers 3-2.
Lehigh Valley finished the afternoon with eight hits, went 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position, and left 12 men on base. Bryan De La Cruz went 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. Keaton Anthony went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. The win went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Michael Mercado (2-0), and the loss went to Columbus pitcher Trevor Stephan (0-1).
The IronPigs and Clippers play game two on Wednesday at 6:45 pm on the MLB App. Alan Rangel (3-4, 3.99 ERA) will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Yorman Gómez (0-2, 5.32 ERA) of Columbus.
