The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (47-54, 12-14) played game five against the Indianapolis Indians (48-53, 17-9) on Saturday night at Victory Field. Alan Rangel was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Antwone Kelly of Indianapolis.
The Philadelphia Phillies made several moves on Saturday that affected the IronPigs. They recalled LHP Kyle Backhus and called up starting RHP Brian Keller, while sending RHP Alex McFarlane and Max Lazar to the IronPigs. The Phillies also designated outfielder Steward Berroa for assignment after they acquired outfielder Kameron Misner from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations and sent him to Lehigh Valley.
In the bottom of the first inning, Indianapolis had runners on second and third base when left fielder Jhostynxon Garcia hit Rangel’s four-seam fastball for a three-run home run at 347 feet to right-center field to put the Indians up 3-0. It was his seventh home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 102.1 mph. With two outs, a groundout by Derek Berg ended the inning.
Moving to the bottom of the third inning, Indianapolis third baseman Enmanuel Valdez hit Rangel’s four-seam fastball for a solo home run to right-center field for a 4-0 lead. It was his 14th home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 96.9 mph. With two outs, Jack Brannigan popped out to Dylan Moore for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Indianapolis had a runner on third base with one out when Jhostynxon Garcia hit into a fielder’s choice. Ronny Simon scored for a 5-0 lead. Later, Derek Berg hit a two-run double to left field that made it 7-0. Rangel was replaced by Tucker Davidson.
With two outs, Davidson struck out Nick Cimillo to end the inning. Alan Rangel went five innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs, three walks, and four strikeouts, throwing 97 pitches, of which 65 were strikes. Tucker Davidson went 3.1 innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and one walk, throwing 47 pitches, of which 30 were strikes.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Indianapolis had runners on second and third base with one out when Enmanuel Valdez hit a two-run RBI single to right field, scoring Dominic Fletcher and Termarr Johnson for a 9-0 lead. With two outs, Duce Gourson popped out to third baseman Carter Kieboom for the final out of the inning.
Lehigh Valley’s two-game winning streak ended with a 9-0 loss. The IronPigs finished the night with two hits, committed two errors, went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. The loss went to Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel (3-5), and the win went to Indianapolis pitcher Antwone Kelly (5-5).
The IronPigs will look to split the series against the Indians at 1:35 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live. Lehigh Valley have yet to name a starter, while Connor Wietgrefe (7-3, 3.33 ERA) will be on the mound for Indianapolis.
