Iron Pigs sweep double-header

By Yonah Perline
Photo courtesy Syracuse Chiefs

Syracuse, N.Y. -- the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs came from behind in both ends of a doubleheader at NBT Bank Stadium, Wednesday, to edge the Syracuse Chiefs at the start of a home stand.


Game 1

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 3 - Syracuse Chiefs 2

Iron Pigs capitalize on shaky defense 

The game started well for the Syracuse Chiefs, who scored two in the bottom of the third, and their starter, Paolo Espino (0-1), hadn't allowed a hit or walk through the first three innings. But, Iron Pigs second baseman Darnell Sweeney started the fourth with a single through the right side, and things went downhill from there. After a wild pitch, Taylor Featherston grounded one deep into the shortstop hole, and Trea Turner gathered it, but could not make a throw. With runners on first and third, Espino struck out four-batter Nick Williams to get the first out, but the next play changed the course of the inning and game.

Andrew Knapp hit a short dribbler down the first base line but first baseman Matt Skole's throw to first was high and Scott Sizemore had to jump off the bag to catch it. Knapp was safe and the play was counted as a single, but it should've been an out. 

"Obviously that's a play we gotta make," Chiefs manager Billy Gardner said. "I think [Skole] just got caught up thinking of going to home when he should've just went straight to first."

With one run in, one out, and runners on first and second, Brock Stassi one-hopped the right-center field wall for a double and an RBI to tie the game at two. Cedric Hunter followed with a sacrifice ground ball to put the Iron Pigs ahead 3-2. Espino got Will Venable to pop out to end the inning. 

Paolo Espino took the loss after tossing six innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits, no walks, and striking out six. He was solid except for one inning. 

Iron Pigs pitcher Jake Thompson threw six innings as well, but allowed only two runs, both coming in the bottom of the third, on six hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Chiefs' shortstop Trea Turner was the only player comfortable against him as he hit three singles including a bunt single on the first pitch of the game. 

Edward Mujica struck out Chiefs' second basemen Scott Sizemore looking on a 91-mph outside fastball in the bottom of the 7th to earn the save in just 10 pitches.

Game 2

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 5  Syracuse Chiefs 4

Martin blows save opportunity 

The Iron Pigs used a four-run 7th inning to spoil a potential Chiefs victory. Up 4-1, closer Rafael Martin didn't even record an out before serving up the game-tying three-run home run to Darnell Sweeney. And with a brand new inning, Martin let the go-ahead run on base in Tyler Featherston, who hit a double. The two next batters, Cameron Perkins and J.P.Arencibia, struck out and didn't advance the runner or get a hit, but with two outs and and Featherston still on second, Tommy Joseph delivered a ground-rule double to put the Iron Pigs ahead 5-4. 

"Normally he finishes that game off," Gardner said of Martin. "I don't think his stuff was there tonight like he normally has." 

The Chiefs had an opportunity to come back against the Iron Pigs closer, Luis Garcia, in the bottom of the 7th, but they couldn't cash in after two one-out singles. With runners on the corners, Matt Skole struck out looking, and Brian Goodwin grounded out to short to end the game. 

Syracuse put two runs on the board in the 2nd inning, and then tacked on one run in both the 3rd and 4th innings, which made it 4-0. The Iron Pigs scored one in the top of the fifth, which set up their improbable four-run 7th. 

Iron Pigs pitcher Gregory Infante earned the win with two shutout innings of relief, and Garcia got the save. Syracuse starter Aaron Laffey went just three innings, but allowed no runs. Martin blew the save opportunity and took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks. 

There were 24 hits in the game compared to just 10 in the first.

Both teams' shortstops led the offenses: Syracuse's Trea Turner went 5-8 on the day, while Tyler Featherston went 5-7.