Allentown, Pennsylvania (August 29, 2023) – After trailing both 4-0 and 8-4, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (66-59, 30-22) rallied in both instances en route to a 9-8 win over the Syracuse Mets (52-72, 19-31) on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park.
The Mets made an instant impact on the game as three of their first four hitters singled to load the bases in the first inning. Carlos Cortes then ripped a grand slam to centerfield, making it 4-0 Mets.
The IronPigs chipped away, plating two in the second. Cristian Pache doubled to open the inning and Simon Muzziotti then singled. After a groundout moved Muzziotti to second, Esteban Quiroz brought in Pache with a groundout before Cal Stevenson singled in Muzziotti.
Three walks loaded the bases for the IronPigs in the third. With one away, Muzziotti singled up the middle to score two runs and tie the game at 4-4.
Two-run homers from Cortes in the fifth and then Ronny Mauricio in the sixth, restored the Mets four-run lead.
In the last of the sixth, the IronPigs got back in the game. After loading the bases to open the inning, Kody Clemens brought in a run with a fielder’s choice. After a walk and strikeout, Pache ripped a single to left to plate two-runs, making it a one-run game at 8-7.
The IronPigs claimed their first and only lead of the game in the eighth. With the bases loaded and one out, Muzziotti dumped a single into centerfield, plating Clemens, to tie the game. The very next batter, Rafael Marchan, drove in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly to right.
Yunior Marte (3-1) fired a scoreless eighth and ninth to earn the win for the IronPigs. Marte allowed a hit and walk, striking out three.
Grant Hartwig (4-3) suffered the loss for the Mets, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out one.
The IronPigs and Mets continue their series on Wednesday, August 30, with first pitch slated for 6:45 p.m.
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