IronPigs win in 15 innings
ALLENTOWN -- It's rare when a catcher gets the game winning hit against another catcher, but this was no ordinary game.
Lehigh Valley catcher Andrew Knapp's walk-off double in the bottom of the 15th inning gave the IronPigs an 8-7 win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Thursday at CocaCola Park.
Having run out of pitchers, the Mud Hens used catcher Miguel Gonzalez to open the 15th. Gonzalez, the 10th pitcher used by Toledo, had little velocity or control. He threw 12 pitches, three for strikes.
Throwing about 65 MPH, Gonzalez walked Brock Stass. Pinch runner Cameron Perkins was then sacrificed to second by Darnell Sweeney. After getting behind Will Venable 3-0, the IronPigs outfielder was intentionally walked.
Knapp took a called strike before ended matters with his walk-off double.
"It kind of stinks for that guy, he was put in a bad situation, so I kind of feel from him, but I am glad the game is over," Knapp said.
Lost in this was a strong outing by IronPigs starter David Buchanan, who allowed one run on eight hits in seven innings, lowering his ERA to 3.92.
Even though he pitched seven innings, Buchanan spent more time on the bench.
"These kind of games happen but it is always good to come out on top," Buchanan said.
Lefthander James Russell got the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Toledo tied the score 3-3 with two runs in the ninth inning, then took a 5-3 lead in the 12th, only to have the IronPigs tie it up on a two-run single by third baseman Carlos Alonso. Now hitting .368, Alonso was 2 for 6 with two runs and three RBIs.
The Mud Hens (17-22) scored twice in the 14th, but the IronPigs tied it up on RBI doubles by Alonso and Cedric Hunter. Then it was up to Knapp to put the finishing touches on the game.
Knapp didn't enter the game until the 12th inning when he pinch ran for fellow catcher Logan Moore.
"It was nice not having to catch at the beginning of the game," Knapp said. "But you always have to be ready."
The team record for longest game is 16innings, achieved four times. One of the few people who didn't mind the 4 hour and 48 minute marathon was IronPigs manager Dave Brundage, who said he wasn't close to using a position player to pitch.
"It was a blessing (to have a long game) because some of our guys weren't getting innings and this was a time for them to get some needed innings," said Brundage, whos e team is 22-18. "We still probably had three guys left."
And many in the clubhouse were happy that he didn't need to use them.