The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (45-49, 10-9) returned from the All-Star Break on Friday night to begin a nine-game road trip, starting at Werner Park against the Omaha Storm Chasers (41-52, 8-11). Brian Keller was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Mitch Spence of Omaha.
In the bottom of the first inning with two outs, Omaha center fielder Kameron Misner hit Keller’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run to right-center field to put the Storm Chasers up 1-0. A flyout by Brett Squires ended the inning.
Moving to the top of the sixth inning with one out, Lehigh Valley shortstop Dylan Moore hit Mason Black’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run to left field, tying the game 1-1. It was his seventh home run of the season. With two outs, Otto Kemp popped out to second baseman Peyton Wilson for the final out of the inning.
Lehigh Valley starter Brian Keller went six innings, allowing three hits and one run, and struck out six, throwing 76 pitches, of which 52 were strikes. Tucker Davidson pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the seventh inning.
Omaha first baseman Brett Squires broke the tie by hitting Davidson’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run at 440 feet to right-center field for a 2-1 lead. It was his 13th home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 105.8 mph. With two outs, a flyout by Luca Tresh ended the inning. Tucker Davidson went two innings, allowing two hits, one run, one walk, and struck out one, throwing 30 pitches, of which 19 were strikes.
The IronPigs would go on to fall to the Storm Chasers 2-1. Lehigh Valley finished the night with two hits, went 0 for 1 with runners in scoring position, and left four men on base. Dylan Moore went 1 for 4 with a home run and an RBI. The loss went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Tucker Davidson (5-4), while the win went to Omaha pitcher Jose Cuas (4-2), and Justin Topa earned his first save of the season.
The IronPigs and Storm Chasers play game two on Saturday at 7:05 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live. Chuck King (6-4, 4.54 ERA) will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while Omaha have yet to name a starter.
