Rochester, New York (August 13, 2023) – In a marathon, back-and-forth ballgame, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (60-51, 24-14) emerged victorious over the Rochester Red Wings (53-59, 19-20) by a final score of 9-7, in 10 innings, on Sunday afternoon at Innovative Field.
The IronPigs jumped out to an early lead as they plated single runs in the second and fourth innings. Cal Stevenson drove home Esteban Quiroz with a sacrifice fly in the second before Drew Ellis smashed a solo homer, his 10th of the year, in the fourth.
The Red Wings got one run back in the bottom of the fourth on a Erick Mejia sacrifice fly before making their big move in the fifth. With two outs, Carter Kieboom grounded an RBI base hit to tie the game before Travis Blankenhorn launched a three-run homer to put Rochester ahead 5-2.
Trailing by three going into the seventh, the IronPigs erupted for five runs to reclaim the lead. Darick Hall led off the inning with a solo homer, his ninth of the year. After back-to-back singles, Ellis doubled home a run before Quiroz tied the game with a sacrifice fly. After a walk and fielder’s choice, Max McDowell lined a single to rightfield to drive home two runs and put the IronPigs ahead 7-5.
In the eighth, the Red Wings began the frame with two walks before Jake Noll cashed in with an RBI single. After another single loaded the bases, Richie Martin tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Taylor Lehman came out of the bullpen for the IronPigs however and quelled the rally, stranding the bases loaded and keeping the game tied at 7-7.
After both teams went down scoreless in the ninth, the IronPigs took the lead in the 10th. With two in scoring position and two outs, Quiroz roped a two-strike single to rightfield, plating both runners, for the game winning hit.
Tyler McKay (1-1) stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th for the win for Lehigh Valley. McKay worked two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out one.
Alex Troop (0-2) suffered the loss for the Red Wings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk, striking out one over one inning of work.
Following an off-day on Monday, the IronPigs welcome the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to Coca-Cola Park for a six-game series, beginning on Tuesday, August 15. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.
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