The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (51-56, 16-16) took on the Buffalo Bisons (51-56, 16-16) in game five on Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park. Alan Rangel was on the mound for Lehigh Valley against Simeon Woods Richardson of Buffalo. Before the game, outfielder Steward Berroa cleared waivers and returned to Lehigh Valley.
It was a pitcher’s duel as the game was scoreless in the first six innings. At the top of the seventh inning, Buffalo had a runner on third base with two outs when Grant Holman threw a wild pitch, scoring Charles McAdoo to put Buffalo up 1-0. Holman struck out Nick Goodwin to end the inning.
Lehigh Valley starter Alan Rangel went 6.1 innings, allowing two hits, one run, two walks, and six strikeouts, throwing 84 pitches, of which 58 were strikes, while Grant Holman went 1.2 innings, allowing a hit and struck out two, throwing 25 pitches, of which 20 were strikes.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Lehigh Valley center fielder Kameron Misner hit Javen Coleman’s slider for a solo home run at 403 feet to right field, tying the game 1-1. It was his 16th home run of the season, and the exit velocity off the bat was 105 mph.
Later, Lehigh Valley Tommy Pham, Keaton Anthony, and Felix Perez all got on base, leading to a Buffalo pitching change. Carter Kieboom hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Pham to give the IronPigs a 2-1 lead with one out. Liover Peguero followed up by hitting an RBI single to left field, scoring Anthony for a 3-1 lead. Catcher Paul McIntosh hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Reyes for a 4-1 lead. A pop-out by Robert Moore ended the inning.
Lou Trivino III pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the ninth inning. Trivino III allowed a hit and struck out two, throwing 18 pitches, of which 13 were strikes, to get the final three outs of the game. The IronPigs beat the Bisons 4-1 to take a 3-2 series lead.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with nine hits, committed one error, went 2 for 5 with runners in scoring position, and left eight men on base. Designated hitter Carter Kieboom went 2 for 4 with an RBI. The win went to Lehigh Valley pitcher Grant Holman (1-0), while Lou Trivino III earned his fourth save of the season, and the loss went to Buffalo pitcher Javen Coleman (0-1).
The IronPigs will go for the series win on Sunday at 1:15 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live. Brian Keller (0-1, 2.06 ERA) will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while Buffalo have yet to name a starter.
