IronPigs Walk-Off Winners 5-4 in Extras on Bases Loaded Wild Pitch

July 2, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Allentown, PA - Heading into Monday night's series opener with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees held a record of 37-0 when leading after eight innings of play. The record now has a blemish as the IronPigs rallied for one run, tying the game in the bottom half of the ninth and eventually winning the game on a walk off wild pitch from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reliever Jason Bulger, giving Lehigh Valley 5-4 in ten innings.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's offense awoke, breaking a scoreless 0-0 tie with a four-run top half of the fourth inning. Brandon Laird started the Yankee rally with a triple off the right field wall, plating Francisco Cervelli. Laird then came home on a double to right-center, extending the Yankee lead to 2-0. Doug Bernier then added an RBI double to bring home Curtis. Corban Joseph then made it four straight RBI extra base hits with a double to right. The Joseph RBI double capped the Yankee four-run fourth inning.

The IronPigs clawed their way back into the game in the home half of the eighth. With one out in the inning, Ortiz hit Michael Martinez and walked Tug Hullet to set up runners on first and second with Kyle Hudson coming to the plate. Hudson made Ortiz pay as he crushed a two-RBI double down the left field line scoring both Martinez and Hullet and bringing Lehigh Valley to within 4-2.

In just his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Ryan Howard brought the IronPigs to within 4-3 on a line drive double down the left field line. Micheal Spidali would replace Howard at second base, ending his night at 1-4 with an RBI. Howard is expected to start again for the IronPigs on Tuesday evening and play first base.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley called on Juan Cedeno to try and close out the game. Cedeno issued a walk to Kyle Hudson, forcing home Cody Overbeck from third and knotting the score at 4-4 after nine innings of play. However, Bulger's bases loaded wild pitch allowed Tuffy Gosewisch to scored from third for the 5-4 win in ten innings.

Ramon Ortiz was solid on the mound in a no decision. The veteran right-hander tossed 7 1/3 innings allowing three runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking just one. Tom Cochrane earned the no decision for the IronPigs. The right-hander tossed seven innings, allowing all four of the Yankees runs on eight hits, while striking out eight and walking four. Igarashi was credited with the blown save. Bulger suffered the loss for the Yankees, while Justin Friend earned the win for the IronPigs.

The Yankees and IronPigs take the field again Tuesday night at 7:05 for game two of a five game series at Coca-Cola Field. Veteran right-hander John Maine gets the nod for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while the IronPigs counter with right-hander Tyler Cloyd.



International League Stories from July 2, 2012


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