Allentown, Pennsylvania (August 4, 2023) – An early 6-0 hole was too steep for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (54-49, 18-12) to climb out of as they ultimately fell 7-6 to the Buffalo Bisons (53-52, 19-11) on Friday night at Coca-Cola Park.
Buffalo started the scoring in the top of the first inning. Nathan Lukes doubled to begin the game and one batter later Spencer Horwitz doubled him home for the first run of the game.
The Bisons exploded for five runs in the second. Lukas collected his second double in as many innings, this time driving in a run. After a flyout, Horwitz singled him home and after another base hit Addison Barger belted a three-run homer to make it 6-0.
The IronPigs dropped a five-spot of their own in the last of the third. Cal Stevenson homered on the first pitch of the inning, his third long ball of the season. Scott Kingery then singled and Kody Clemens walked. A wild pitch advanced both before a Simon Muzziotti sacrifice fly plated Kingery. After a walk to Darick Hall, Aramis Garcia blasted a three-run homer, his seventh of the season, to make it 7-6.
Rafael Lantigua smashed a solo homer leading off the top of the fourth to make it 7-5 Bisons, giving Buffalo some breathing room.
Stevenson drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to make it 7-6, but the IronPigs couldn’t find the tying run in the late going.
Wes Parsons (4-2) secured the win for the Bisons, working 5.1 innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and four walks, striking out seven. Rowan Wick (S, 1) fired a perfect ninth, striking out one, for the save for Buffalo.
Noah Skirrow (7-4) suffered the loss for the IronPigs, allowing six runs in three innings on seven hits and four walks, striking out three.
The IronPigs and Bisons continue their series on Saturday, August 5 with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m.
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