The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 9-3 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday night at PNC Field. T.J. Rumfield was recognized for his outstanding defensive performance in 2023 and received his gold glove award before the game.
A four-run first inning propelled the IronPigs to a lead they never gave up. Esteban Quiroz's bases-loaded walk and Aramis Garcia's bases clearing double in the first inning gave the visitors an early advantage.
The RailRiders responded with a run in the bottom half. Caleb Durbin singled to get on base and Rumfield's RBI double brought him home.
Lehigh Valley added one more run in the fourth and another in the fifth, both on sacrifice fly balls.
In the bottom of the inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reduced the lead by scoring two runs. Josh VanMeter created his own chance by walking, advancing on an error and a wild pitch, and then scoring on a groundout. Luis Gonzalez, who reached base on a fielder's choice, scored on the second wild pitch of the inning. This cut the lead to 6-3.
The IronPigs scored two more runs in the sixth with consecutive RBI singles. David Dahl hit the only home run of the game in the top of the ninth to conclude a 9-3 victory.
Clayton Beeter (L, 1-1) allowed five runs in four innings of action. He walked four batters and struck out five. Lehigh Valley's Tyler Phillips (2-1) pitched six quality innings on 94 pitches.
The RailRiders will continue their series at PNC Field against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The next game is on Saturday with the first pitch at 4:05 p.m.