IronPigs Rally but Ultimately Fall Short to Open Second Half Against Red Wings

Allentown, PA (June 28, 2023) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-38, 0-1) erased an early 5-0 deficit but saw the game slip away late in a 7-6 loss to the Rochester Red Wings (35-39, 1-0) to open the second half of the season on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park.

The Red Wings got started right away, plating three in the first. The first two batters reached, putting runners at second and third. Blake Rutherford grounded out to drive in one run and Franmil Reyes followed with a two-run homer to make it 3-0.

In the third, Rutherford blasted a two-run homer for Rochester to make it an early 5-0 lead for the Red Wings.

Darick Hall answered with a solo homer in the last of the third for the IronPigs, his third of the season, to make it 5-1.

The IronPigs completely made up the deficit in the fourth. Cal Stevenson drove in a run with a fielder’s choice and after a Jake Cave walk loaded the bases, Weston Wilson brought in two more with a single. A Hall base hit then scored Cave to tie the game at 5-5.

Both teams threatened, but the game stayed tied at 5-5 until the ninth. In the top of the ninth, Rutherford ripped a two-run single to push the Red Wings ahead.

In the last of the ninth, Hall smoked an RBI double to bring the IronPigs within one, but the IronPigs ultimately left the tying run in scoring position to end the game.

Gerson Moreno (4-4) collected the win for the Red Wings. He fired the final two innings of the game, allowing just an unearned run on one hit, striking out five.

Ben Bowden (1-1) suffered the loss for the IronPigs, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk, striking out two.

The IronPigs and Red Wings continue their series on Thursday, June 29, with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.

Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/LHVIronPigs.

The IronPigs are presented by Capital BlueCross.

--#YourHometownTeam--