The IronBirds started their 2019 season with a 2-1 win over Hudson Valley, the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate. Starting pitcher Ryan Conroy gave up a leadoff single, and after that he struck out 12, leaving Hudson Valley hitless for the rest of the game. Following the stellar pitching performance, the
The IronBirds started their 2019 season with a 2-1 win over Hudson Valley, the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate. Starting pitcher Ryan Conroy gave up a leadoff single, and after that he struck out 12, leaving Hudson Valley hitless for the rest of the game. Following the stellar pitching performance, the IronBirds struggled on the mound, giving up nine walks as they fell to Hudson Valley 6-1 to split the series. The IronBirds traveled to Brooklyn to face the New York Mets affiliate, the Cyclones. The IronBirds won the series opener 4-3 behind a two-hit, no run performance by starter Dallas Litscher and ten total hits for the IronBirds. The IronBirds played a sloppy final game of the series, having three errors that led to two runs; they were unable to find consistent offensive as they had only one run on two hits leading to a 4-1 loss. Sitting at .500 the IronBirds went back home to face the Tri-City ValleyCats, a Houston Astros affiliate. The IronBirds won the first game of the series 4-3, led by a go-ahead two-run single in the 7th by Juan Montes, the IronBirds Designated Hitter. The IronBirds got their first series win and winning streak of the year as they had a convincing 12-6 win in game two of the series. The final game of the series and the week was a slugfest as there were 17 total runs scored. The IronBirds' bats stayed hot, but the pitching was unable to keep them in the game as the IronBirds lost 7-10, putting them one game over .500 at the end of the first week.
The IronBirds traveled to Hudson Valley to start the week, where they lost the series opener 4-5 after a ninth-inning comeback fell short. Following the tough loss, the IronBirds blew Hudson Valley out, scoring 11 runs on ten hits. Starting pitcher, Adam Stauffer led the IronBirds, giving up only one run in 5.1 innings en route to an 11-2 win. In the rubber game of the series, the IronBirds offense was unable to get anything going, scoring only one run while hitting 0-7 with runners in scoring position, leading to a 5-1 loss. After a day off, the IronBirds traveled back home to start a three-game series with the Brooklyn Cyclones. The first game of the series was not a good one for the IronBirds pitchers, giving up seven runs on 11 hits. The IronBirds had a promising ninth inning, scoring two runs, but their comeback was cut short as they fell 6-7. The next day was a complete flip of the switch. After 13 combined runs the game before, both teams pitched gems. The game was close the whole way through until the Cyclones pulled away in the 10th inning handing the IronBirds a 2-1 loss. The final game of the series looked a lot like the second game as both teams were neck and neck. The game went into extra innings tied at three after solid pitching performances all around. At the top of the 10th, the Cyclones scored on a double which eventually handed the IronBirds a 3-4 loss, making it their fourth loss in a row and their third loss in a row by one run.
After a heartbreaking series, the IronBirds went on the road to the Tri-City ValleyCats as they tried to snap their four-game losing streak. Starting pitcher, Adam Stauffer shined in the first game of the series pitching seven innings and only giving up two hits. The IronBirds offense was able to produce, scoring three runs on seven hits giving them a 3-0 victory and ending their losing streak. The second game of the series was right there for the IronBirds, but they were unable to close it out giving up the tying run in the bottom of the 9th and a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th, making the final 4-3. The last game of the series was a bad one for the IronBirds pitching staff, giving up five runs on 14 hits and four walks. The IronBirds fell in the series finale 5-3, putting them four games below .500 and 3.5 games back of first in the New York-Penn Leauge at the end of June.
Players of the Month
Adam Stauffer SP
2-1, 1.65 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 16.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 19 SO, .80 WHIP, .145 OPP AVG
Johnny Rizer CF
.325 AVG, .413 OBP, .575 SLG, 11 G, 13 for 40, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB, 6 K
