The IronPigs are able to maintain the lead for a 10-8 win over Rochester.
By Alex Morgan / Rochester Red Wings
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Rochester Red Wings came into game five of the series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs looking to pick up their third win in a row but were derailed as the ‘Pigs scored eight runs in the first four innings. Despite the Wings’ efforts in the middle and late innings, Lehigh Valley’s lead was too big to overcome, leading to a 10-8 Rochester loss.
Lehigh Valley first baseman Darick Hall led the charge for the Iron Pigs, blasting a three-run homer in the first inning. He continued his domination of Wings pitching in the fourth, hitting a two-RBI double to extend the Pigs’ lead. Hall hit another homer in the eighth, for his second two-homer game of the series. He finished the night going 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double, and six RBI.
The Red Wings came into the fifth inning down 8-1, but over the next two innings, managed to trim the Lehigh Valley lead to just three, scoring four runs on four hits as the bats started to come alive late. In the eighth inning, the Wings managed to load the bases, but they came away with just one run, as Meneses scored on a groundout by catcher Chris Herrmann.
First baseman Joey Meneses has been swinging a hot bat all series for the Wings. He kept his hot streak going tonight going 4-for-5, with a double and four RBI. Meneses has had multi-hit nights in four of the five games played against Lehigh Valley.
Logan Verrett got the starting nod for the Red Wings. He pitched two innings, giving up three runs on three hits, walking two, and striking out three. Ben Braymer came on in relief and allowed five runs with five walks. Carson Teel kept the Wings in the game pitching the final 4 2/3 innings, giving up just two earned runs on six hits and a walk.
The Red Wings look to avoid their first series loss of the season as they take on the IronPigs again in the series finale on Sunday at 1:35 in Allentown. Getting the start for Rochester is Nationals top prospect, RHP Cade Cavalli (0-1). He will face off against RHP Colton Eastman (0-1).