Johan Rojas Smashes Go-Ahead Homer as Part of Four-Hit Game to Complete Comeback for ‘Pigs
Allentown, PA (June 20, 2024) – After trailing 5-2 going into the last of the sixth inning, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (32-38) scored seven unanswered runs to rally back for a 9-7 win over the Norfolk Tides on Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park. Norfolk was off and running early as
Allentown, PA (June 20, 2024) – After trailing 5-2 going into the last of the sixth inning, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (32-38) scored seven unanswered runs to rally back for a 9-7 win over the Norfolk Tides on Thursday night at Coca-Cola Park.
Norfolk was off and running early as Daniel Johnson homered two batters into the game, his 13th of the season, and Anthony Servideo added an RBI single to make it 2-0.
The ‘Pigs answered right back as Ruben Cardenas had an RBI single and Weston Wilson tied the game with a solo homer, his 11th of the year.
The Tides strung together four straight hits to plate three runs in the fourth with Noelberth Romero starting things with an RBI double, Donta’ Williams following with an RBI single, and Daniel Johnson capping it with an RBI double.
Connor Norby swatted a two-run in the sixth, his 10th of the season, to put Norfolk ahead by five runs, their largest lead of the game.
The comeback started for the ‘Pigs in the bottom of the sixth. They loaded the bases with two outs and Scott Kingery cashed in with a two-run single to make it a three-run game again.
In the seventh, Johan Rojas walked to begin the frame and then scored on an error. A single and walk loaded the bases, before a Cal Stevenson sacrifice fly cut it to a one-run game. Kingery tied the game with a base hit to left, but the go-ahead run was thrown out at the plate.
Rojas popped the ‘Pigs on top in the eighth. He started the frame with a solo homer, his first of the year, completing the comeback for Lehigh Valley. Wilson scored Buddy Kennedy later in the inning with an RBI double for an insurance run.
Nick Nelson (S, 1) worked around an error in the ninth, posting a scoreless frame, striking out one, for his first save of the season for Lehigh Valley.
Yunior Marte (1-0) earned the win in relief for the ‘Pigs, throwing a scoreless eighth, allowing just a hit.
Luis Gonzalez (3-1) took the loss for Norfolk, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three.
The ‘Pigs and Tides continue their series on Friday, June 21 at Coca-Cola Park. Tyler Phillips (7-3, 5.06) goes for Lehigh Valley while Norfolk hands the ball to Julio Teheran (1-0, 8.10)
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The IronPigs are presented by Capital Blue Cross.
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