Saturday, May 22, 2010

Ironpigs lose Saturday night to Buffalo

ALLENTOWN, Pa.A big reason for the IronPigs flirtation with a .500 season last summer was their defense.

That hasn't been the case this year, however.

After leading the International League in fielding a year ago and committing a league-low 92 errors, Lehigh Valley had already committed 30 errors in 41 games heading into Saturday's night's game with Buffalo.

The IronPigs also ranked last in double plays with 27 after turning 151 a year ago, second-most in the league.

Lehigh Valley managed to turn three double plays Saturday night but two more errors led to two critical unearned runs in a 4-1 loss to the Bisons before 9,912. The IronPigs (16-26) also had just three hits for the second straight nights as they fell to a season-low 10 games below .500.

Melvin Dorta had two of those hits, including a third-inning solo homer that tied the game at 1-1. But Buffalo (25-17) pushed across the go-ahead run in the seventh when third baseman Cody Ransom bobbled a grounder by winner Dillon Gee, who was hitting with runners at the corners with two outs.

Buffalo added two more runs in the ninth aided by a throwing error by pitcher Oscar Villarreal.

Bradon Duckworth allowed just one run on five hits over six innings to lower his ERA to 1.80.

Former IronPig Mike Cervenak is on the disabled list for Buffalo but is expected to return to the active roster sometime this weekend.

From the Morning Call

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