Consistent Offense Powers Lehigh Valley Past Bulls

DURHAM – Bulls first baseman Kyle Manzardo capped a ten-pitch at-bat with a 421-foot solo home run and first baseman Jonathan Aranda launched a two-run blast, however IronPigs right fielder Jordan Qsar crushed a longball and drove in two runs in Lehigh Valley’s 6-4 victory over Durham on Tuesday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Qsar drove in his first run with a sacrifice fly in the second. Lehigh Valley would then plate single tallies in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh frames to extend the advantage to 4-0. Manzardo would then go deep with a solo shot to right in the last of the seventh, capping a ten-pitch at-bat to end the IronPigs’ shutout thoughts.

Lehigh Valley then struck again in the top of the eighth via Qsar’s solo blast to once again make it a four-run contest. Durham then answered with a three-spot in the last of the frame capped by Aranda’s two-run big fly to right-center. The IronPigs, however, would counter with another run in the top of the ninth to make it 6-4.

Qsar (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), 3B Weston Wilson (2-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB), SS Scott Kingery (2-4, R, BB), and LF Simon Muzziotti (2-5, RBI) all posted multi-hit efforts for Lehigh Valley. No Bulls batters recorded two or more knocks, though Manzardo (1-2, R, HR, RBI, BB) did reach base twice via his longball and a walk.

Lehigh Valley righty Noah Skirrow (3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 SO) earned the victory in support of starter Cristopher Sanchez (4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO), who tossed four no-hit frames as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment. Durham starter Elvin Rodriguez (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO), meanwhile, suffered the loss.

The two teams are set to face off again on Wednesday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm ET. RHP Taj Bradley (1-0, 5.14) is anticipated to toe the rubber for the Bulls and be opposed by RHP James McArthur (0-1, 16.88).