Rochester, New York (August 8, 2023) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (56-50, 20-13) could not withstand a late barrage of runs as they were walked-off on by the Rochester Red Wings (52-55, 18-16) by a final of 8-7 on Tuesday night at Innovative Field.
The Red Wings started the scoring in the last of the second. Travis Blankenhorn walked and Drew Millas followed with a base hit. Matt Adams then singled off the wall in right, driving in Blankenhorn.
The IronPigs responded with force in the fourth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jim Haley worked a walk to force home the tying run. Kody Clemens then socked a grand slam, his seventh homer of the season, to make it 5-1.
Rochester plated an unearned run thanks to an error in the fifth but the IronPigs got that run back plus one thanks to a two-run homer from Jim Haley, his eighth of the season, in the top of the sixth, to make it 7-2.
The comeback started for Rochester in the seventh. Erick Mejia drove in a run with a double and Darren Baker then tripled him home to make it 7-4.
In the eighth, Matt Adams worked a bases loaded walk to force in a run, setting the scene for the final stage of the comeback in the ninth.
Richie Martin singled to start the ninth for Rochester and Darren Baker then walked. After back-to-back strikeouts, Travis Blankenhorn singled to drive home a run and make it a one-run game. Drew Millas then walked to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Jake Noll then stepped up and walloped a ball off the wall in left to drive in two runs and win the game for Rochester 8-7.
Daniel Mengden (2-1) worked a scoreless ninth to earn the win for Rochester. He allowed three hits and struck out two.
Tyler McKay (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the IronPigs. McKay allowed three runs on three hits and two walks, striking out two in 1.2 innings.
The IronPigs continue their series against the Red Wings on Wednesday, August 9 with first pitch slated for 6:45 p.m.
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