By Darryl Harding Sr-
After yesterday’s shortened game, due to inclement conditions, it was a beautiful day as the Worcester Redsox host the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs at Polar Park. The AAA-affiliate of the Phillies, the Ironpigs face the Woosox for the fourth game out of six, with the Sox up 2-1 in the homestand.
Commanding the hill for Worcester is right-handed starter Quinn Priester who takes the mound with a 3-2 record and 44 Ks over 40 innings pitched. Somewhat of a groundball creating machine, Priester got through 5 innings allowing only 2 hits.
As well as Priester pitched, Ironpigs starter right-hander Seth Johnson spun three hitless innings, but in the 4th gave up single to 2B Enmanuel Valdez, after a SS Chase Meidroth walk. The Ironpigs managed to strand the two men in the 4th and two more in the 5th after consecutive walks to 1B Bobby Dalbec and 3B Jamie Westbrook.
Priester was relieved by LHP Zach Penrod, Priester tossed 42 pitches, 29 for strikes. Skillfully attempting to keep the game scoreless in this pitchers duel, Penrod unwillingly relinquished a double to LF Kody Clemens but settled in and kept the contest at zeroes.
Johnson was spelled by RHP Andrew Bellatti, 45 strikes thrown out of 84 pitches ended Johnson’s one hit outing. Bellatti subsequently was not as successful permitting three walks, loading the bases, and being replaced after only recording one out. The unraveling continued as Lehigh Valley reliever RHP Dylan Covey immediately surrendered a Dalbec double scoring Meidroth and Valdez.
A Westbrook RBI ground out brought LF Eddy Alvarez across the plate. RHP Luis Guerrero came in the 7th for Penrod retired six Ironpigs in a row, striking out two. Ironpigs pitchers Griff McGarry and Michael Mercado chalked up 5 outs without an increase in the Woosox 3-0 lead.
Right-hander Yohan Ramirez got the save and sealed the shutout victory for the Woosox. Woosox club manager Chad Tracy commented on the stellar pitching performance, “Priester, relievers found the strike zone, quick outs, it was awesome” MiLB baseball continues Saturday at 4:05 pm.