Worcester, MA (June 24, 2023) – Despite an early 7-3 lead, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-36) could not hold on late as they were toppled by the Worcester Red Sox (38-36) by a final of 8-7 on Saturday night at Polar Park.
Both teams brought out the lumber early. The IronPigs scored three times in the top of the second as Rafael Marchan opened the scoring with an RBI single and Esteban Quiroz followed with a two-run base hit. Worcester responded right away, tying the game in the bottom of the second on a Stephen Scott two-run double and Niko Goodrum RBI double that followed.
Not deterred, the IronPigs one upped themselves with a four-run third. Weston Wilson started the frame with a solo homer, his 15th of the season. Marchan collected his second RBI of the day with a double before Quiroz drove him in with a double of his own. Drew Ellis capped the frame with a double to score Quiroz, making it 7-3.
The WooSox plated two in the fifth on a Wilyer Abreu two-run single before making it a one-run game in the sixth on a Daniel Palka solo homer.
Narciso Crook brought the WooSox all the way in front with a two-run double in the seventh, giving Worcester an 8-7 lead.
The IronPigs threatened in the ninth, but A.J. Politi (S, 6) stranded the tying run at third and go-ahead run at first to convert the five-out save for Worcester, allowing just a hit and a walk.
Oddanier Mosqueda (2-1) collected the win for the WooSox with 2.1 no-hit innings, striking out four.
Jeremy Walker (5-1) suffered the loss for the IronPigs, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk, striking out two in 1.1 innings.
The IronPigs and WooSox wrap up their series on Sunday, June 25, at 1:05 p.m. at Polar Park.
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