The IronPigs rally in the 9th to beat Rochester, 6-5.
By Nick Grasso / Rochester Red Wings
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Rochester Red Wings lost a close contest to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs by a score of 6-5 at Coca Cola Park on Friday evening. Rochester held a three-run lead in the ninth but was unable to hold on for the win.
RHP Anibal Sanchez started for the Wings for the third time this season, giving up four hits and two runs through 5 1/3 innings.
Rochester held a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth, but Lehigh Valley’s Dalton Guthrie hit a three-run homer to tie it at five, setting the stage for an IronPigs comeback.
3B Adrian Sanchez and LF Josh Palacios logged a couple RBI to put the Wings up 3-1 early. The ‘Pigs closed the gap soon after, but Rochester used a two run sixth inning to pull ahead 5-2.
With no outs in the bottom of the ninth, LHP Alberto Baldonado gave up a three-run homer that tied the game before Josh Ockimey hit an RBI single that scored Johan Camarago and sealed the ‘Pigs’ one run win.
It was just the second time all season that Rochester lead after the eighth inning but ultimately lost.
The loss ties the series at two games apiece as Rochester remains in a fourth-place tie with Worcester in the International League East division.
Rochester will send RHP Sterling Sharp to the mound in Saturday’s 6:35 p.m. matchup at Lehigh Valley with a chance to take a 3-2 series lead.