A Jorge Alfaro infield single scored Héctor Gómez to give the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (27-14) a 3-2 win in 10 innings over the Syracuse Chiefs (13-24) Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
A Jorge Alfaro infield single scored Héctor Gómez to give the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (27-14) a 3-2 win in 10 innings over the Syracuse Chiefs (13-24) Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
After Gomez led off the top of the 10th inning with a triple down the right field wall to put the go-ahead run 90 feet away, Roman Quinn and J.P. Crawford both struck out and the Pigs were down to one out in the inning. Alfaro then bounced an infield single back to the pitcher that scored Gomez to give the Pigs the 3-2 lead heading to the bottom half of the inning.
International League save leader Pedro Beato then came on to close out the Pigs win. After Pedro Severino grounded out to Beato, Corban Joseph singled to center to bring the winning run to the plate. Beato regained composure and struck out Grant Green and Adrían Sanchez bounced into a force out to second to end the game.
It was a pitcher's duel through four innings as both Pigs starter Jake Thompson and Chiefs starter Austin Voth did not allow a run through the first four frames.
The Chiefs finally broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth inning as the plated two runs to take an early 2-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Andrew Stevenson singled to Crawford, scoring Green to give the Chiefs the 1-0 lead and kept the bases loaded. Two batters later, Clint Robinson hit a two-out single to right to score Sanches to put the Chiefs on top 2-0.
The IronPigs bounced back with a two-run inning of their own in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at 2. Three consecutive singles from Crawford, Alfaro and Dylan Cozens loaded the bases for the hot hitting Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins then bounced a ground ball to second as Cozens was put out, however, Crawford scored to put the Pigs on the board as they trailed 2-1. Nick Williams then tied the game on an infield single back to the mound that scored Alfaro.
Pat Venditte picked up his fourth win of the season as he tossed yet another scoreless inning to up his scoreless innings total to 22 innings. After surrendering a lead-off single to Irving Falu, Vendite got two quick outs before intentionally walking Brandon Snyder to keep a force out in play. Venditte then struck out Robinson to end the Chiefs threat and keep the game tied at 2.
The Pigs and Chiefs continue their three-game series with game two Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. The Pigs will send right-hander Tom Eshelman (2-0, 0.00) and the Chiefs will send right-hander A.J. Cole (1-1, 8.31).
The 2017 Season is the IronPigs 10th Anniversary season at Coca-Cola Park and 10th as the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The IronPigs are debuting the brand-new Bacon, USA, Membership Program this season -- a year-round IronPigs experience pass featuring numerous new amenities such as savings on parking at games and at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Coca-Cola Park, on-field VIP access to watch batting practice, access to an annual holiday party, an invitation to an exclusive player and coaches photo session and more. For more information, visit ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-PIGS (7447). Memberships and group outings are on sale now.
The 2017 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.
