STAFF REPORTS
The Red Wings took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Zack Granite got things started with a lead-off double against IronPigs starter Ben Lively. Granite scored after an RBI single from Bengie Gonzalez, giving the Wings a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, the Wings put together three straight singles from Engelb Vielma, Granite and Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s hit scored Vielma, making the score 2-0. With two runners on, Daniel Palka hit a three-run opposite field home run to give the Wings a 5-0 advantage. It was Palka’s team-leading sixth home run on the season, and his first homer since April 26 (19 games).
LHP Adalberto Mejia got the start for the Wings. He gave up only one hit in three innings and had one strikeout while throwing 33 pitches (22 strikes).
Nick Tepesch came into the game to start the fourth inning. He got himself into early trouble by hitting Cameron Perkins and giving up a ground-rule double to J.P.Crawford. After loading the bases, Tepesch limited the damage by striking out Jorge Alfaro, giving up a sacrifice fly to Rhys Hoskins making the score 5-1, and striking out Nick Williams.
Tepesch got into a bases-loaded, no out jam in the fifth inning, then got a strikeout and pop out while trying to escape trouble. With two outs, Alfaro then hit a bases clearing double to make the score 5-4. Dylan Cozens followed by hitting his IL-leading tenth home run of the year giving the IronPigs their first lead of the game 6-5. That put an end to Tepesch’s evening; of the six runs charged to Tepesch, just one was earned after an error earlier in the inning by Vielma. D.J. Baxendale entered the game and gave up a triple by Hoskins on a misplayed ball by right fielder Niko Goodrum. Hoskins scored on a wild pitch, giving the ‘Pigs a 7-5 lead.
Lively settled down and kept the Red Wings off the bases for three straight innings. Lively worked six innings and gave up six hits and five earned runs. He struck out five, and threw 86 pitches – 63 for strikes.
Trevor Hildenberger pitched the eighth inning, giving up two runs which extended the Lehigh Valley lead to 9-5. Buddy Boshers worked a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two.
Winning Pitcher: Lively (5-1) Losing Pitcher: Tepesch (1-2) Save: none
NOTES: RHP Alex Wimmers was assigned to extended spring camp in Florida…Pitchers D.J. Baxendale and Aaron Slegers had breakfast with fans Tuesday morning at Dunkin’ Donuts on Monroe Ave. – part of the “Breakfast with a Red Wing” promotion. Check out photos from the event here.
