Rochester, New York (August 9, 2023) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (57-50, 21-13) set the tone early as their first seven hitters reached base safely, helping lead to a 14-13 win over the Rochester Red Wings (52-56, 18-17) on Wednesday night at Innovative Field.
In his first triple-A plate appearance, Matt Kroon led off the game with a homer for the IronPigs. Four straight singles followed, the last from Drew Ellis driving in two runs. After Jordan Qsar reached on an error, Jim Haley drove in two runs with a base hit. Following a fielder’s choice, Rafael Marchan drove home another run with a single. Kroon then came up for the second time in the inning and brought home the seventh run of the frame with a single.
Rochester responded with four in the bottom of the first. Travis Blankenhorn drove home two with a double before a Drew Millas two-run single.
In the second, Haley belted a two-run homer for the IronPigs, his ninth of the season, to provide some breathing room again, setting the score at 9-4.
Kody Clemens produced an RBI double in the third inning before Darick Hall busted the game open with a three-run homer, his sixth of the season, making it 13-4.
The Red Wings fought right back in the bottom of the third. Blankenhorn picked up another RBI double and Millas followed with an RBI double of his own. Cody Wilson then knocked home a run with a single before Richie Martin capped the frame with another RBI base knock, making it 13-8.
Max McDowell provided a key insurance run for the IronPigs in the sixth with an RBI single. This run proved to be the difference as Rochester closed in late with a three-run homer from Jack Dunn in the eighth and a two-run homer from Blankenhorn in the ninth.
Noah Skirrow (8-4) spun four scoreless innings in relief to earn the win for the IronPigs. Skirrow allowed just four hits and two walks, striking out three. Ben Bowden (S, 5) collected the save, allowing two runs on a hit and a walk in the ninth.
Alex Troop (0-1) didn’t record an out in taking the loss for the Red Wings, conceding seven runs (six earned) on six hits.
The IronPigs continue their series against the Red Wings on Thursday, August 10 with first pitch slated for 6:45 p.m.
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