Allentown, Pennsylvania (August 6, 2023) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (56-49, 20-12) bashed their way to a 6-4 victory over the Buffalo Bisons (53-54, 19-13), belting three homers en route to the win on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park.
The Bisons struck first just a batter into the game as Nathan Lukes bashed a leadoff homer to put Buffalo ahead 1-0.
The IronPigs tied things up in the second. Dustin Peterson led off the frame with a homer, his career-high 13th of the season, to tie the game at 1-1.
In the third, the IronPigs jumped ahead. With two outs Kody Clemens walked and Aramis Garcia then singled him to third. Garcia then swiped second before Darick Hall drove them both in with a base hit to make it 3-1.
Buffalo got to within one when a passed ball scored Rafael Lantigua in the fifth, but they ultimately stranded the tying run at third to end the inning.
Hall got that run right back for the IronPigs in the bottom of the fifth, hitting a solo homer, his fourth of the season, to make it 4-2 IronPigs.
Scott Kingery extended the lead for the IronPigs as he whacked a two-run homer in the sixth, his 13th of the year, to put the IronPigs ahead 6-2.
Buffalo made some inroads in the seventh. With two outs and the bases loaded, Jamie Ritchie worked a walk to force in a run and Cam Eden was then hit by a pitch to bring home another making it 6-4. Ben Bowden came in out of the bullpen though and struck out Lukes to squash the threat.
Shaun Anderson (1-0) danced around danger to earn the win for the IronPigs. Anderson worked five-plus innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and five walks, striking out one. Luis Ortiz (S, 3) allowed two hits in the ninth but secured the save for the IronPigs with a scoreless ninth, striking out one.
Yosver Zulueta (2-4) took the loss for the Bisons, allowing two runs on three hits and walk, striking out one in one inning.
Following an off-day on Monday, the IronPigs kick off a six-game road trip against the Rochester Red Wings on Tuesday, August 8. First pitch is slated for 6:45 p.m. from Innovative Field.
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