Valdez Homers as WooSox Beat IronPigs
WORCESTER, MA — Thanks to a late rally in the eighth inning, the Worcester Red Sox (14-16) topped the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (12-16) on Friday at Polar Park by a 4-2 final. With two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth, the WooSox broke a 2-2 tie
WORCESTER, MA — Thanks to a late rally in the eighth inning, the Worcester Red Sox (14-16) topped the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (12-16) on Friday at Polar Park by a 4-2 final.
With two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth, the WooSox broke a 2-2 tie when Jamie Westbrook scored on a wild pitch. One pitch later, Corey Rosier lined a single to left-center to score Niko Kavadas and give Worcester a two run lead. Rosier now has a five-game hitting streak, during which he is 9-for-19.
The WooSox scored the game’s first run, as Enmanuel Valdez blasted a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the first.
In the bottom of the second, Corey Rosier knocked in Jamie Westbrook with an opposite-field single to give Worcester a 2-0 lead.
That score held until the top of the seventh. After the first three IronPigs hitters reached, a Kody Clemens fielder’s choice brought in Lehigh Valley’s first run. Darick Hall tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
In his sixth start of the season, Jason Alexander tossed 5.1 scoreless innings for the WooSox, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out two. Alexander retired the first 10 batters of the game.
Left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge picked up the win, tossing a season-high 2.2 scoreless relief innings. Luetge has now tossed three consecutive scoreless appearances.
Romy Gonzalez began a major-league rehab assignment, batting second as the designated hitter. Gonzalez went 0-for-2 with a walk in three plate appearances, including a 105.3 mph line out to center in his first plate appearance.
Lehigh Valley starter Tyler Phillips threw an International League single-game high 112 pitches over his 6.2 innings.
The WooSox and IronPigs continue their six-game series tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. Right-hander Justin Hagenman is the scheduled starter for Worcester. Right-hander David Buchanan toes the rubber for the IronPigs. The game will be televised live on NESN+. Radio coverage begins at 3:45 p.m. on 98.9 Nash Icon and the rest of the WooSox Radio Network.