The Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ 10-game home run streak came to an end on Tuesday against the International League’s worst pitching staff. Their struggles with runners in scoring position continued into Wednesday’s second game of the series against the Charlotte Knights, as they went 3 for 14 and had two runners thrown out on the bases in a 5-3 loss at Coca-Cola Park.
The IronPigs (9-11) blew a 3-0, first-inning lead to drop two games below .500 for the first time this season. They are now 5 for 30 with runners in scoring position against Charlotte, which entered the series with a team ERA well north of 6.00.
The IronPigs had four singles in the second inning but scored just one run and had a runner thrown out at the plate. They also had the first two runners on base in the seventh, but a caught stealing and a strikeout on a bunt attempt added up to no runs.
Charlotte (10-12) also stole five bases in five attempts against Lehigh Valley, which was the league’s best in that category entering the game. The Knights have won eight of their last 11 after a 2-9 start.
In the bottom of the first, Jordan Luplow walked and scored on Darick Hall’s double down the right-field line. Two batters later, David Dahl extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single to score Hall.
In the bottom of the second, Esteban Quiroz, Scott Kingery, and Jose Godoy singled, but Quiroz was thrown out at the plate on Godoy’s hit. Simon Muzziotti’s fielder’s choice scored Kingery.
Charlotte tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI single by Tommy Pham and a two-run single by Adam DeLoach. The Knights took the lead in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by Colson Montgomery.
The Knights added another run in the top of the eighth on a wild pitch by Grif McGarry. Wednesday’s game was played without the ABS system or the challenge system because of a mix-up involving the umpiring crew. Thursday’s game will also have no ABS or challenge system. RHP Mick Abel (1-1, 6.94) faces Charlotte TBA in a 6:45 p.m. start at Coca-Cola Park.
