IronPigs drop two to Chiefs

ALLENTOWN - The Lehigh Valley IronPigs had little working in their favor on Monday night, as they dropped both seven-inning games of the double-header to Syracuse by a score of 4-0.

In the first game, Scott Mathieson labored through five innings in which he allowed four earned runs on eight hits with one walk and no strikeouts.

The trouble began in the top of the first inning, as Matt Antonelli drew a two-out walk and then came around to score on the RBI double by Jesus Valdez. The Chiefs grabbed another run in the third inning as Roger Bernadina struck his sixth homerun of the season just over the right field wall to make it 2-0.

In the fifth, the Chiefs once again capitalized on the long-ball as Matt Antonelli struck a two-run homer deep into the bullpens to bring the tally to 4-0.

While the Chiefs had a well-balanced attack in the first inning, starter Tom Milone held the IronPigs through four and a third innings. Delwyn Young was able to break the cycle with a one-out single to right-center field, but the Chiefs would fare just fine as it was only one of two hits in the first game.

In the second game, Roger Bernadina led off the game and was able to get on board via the catching error on a fly ball to Domonic Brown that he had gotten under but badly mishandled as it deflected off his glove and fell to the ground.

That set the table for a huge inning out of Syracuse, as Steve Lombardozzi singled to move Bernadina to third base, and another error by the IronPigs (this time a throwing error on Bass on the pickoff attempt at first base) would cost a run as Bernadina came across the plate.

Tug Hulett singled to center field to score Lombardozzi and make it a 2-0 ballgame, and then Corey Brown would cap it all off with a two-run double just two batters later to make it 4-0, where it would remain.

Of particular note is the rough night had by Domonic Brown, who was 0-3 with three strikeouts, one error, and two other costly plays in the outfield. Brown would be lifted from the game in the top of the sixth and replaced in left field by Tagg Bozied.

Bass allowed four runs on the night, none earned, and went five innings while allowing six hits and three walks with two strikeouts.

Chiefs starter Brad Peacock was also very strong against the IronPigs, as he went five innings and allowed five hits and no runs with one walk and seven strikeouts.