Early Offense Leads WooSox to 8-3 Win Over IronPigs

ALLENTOWN, PA – After back-to-back difficult losses, the Worcester Red Sox (35-28, 71-63) bounced back with an 8-3 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (30-34, 65-74) on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park.

Facing former Worcester right-hander Brian Keller for the third time this season, the WooSox put up a four-spot in the top of the second. Worcester sent nine batters to the plate in the inning. With two on and one out, Tyler McDonough lined an RBI single into center field to put Worcester on the board. Then, Nathan Hickey drilled a two-run triple to left field to give the WooSox a 3-0 lead. Later in the inning, with Hickey at third and Braiden Ward at first, Ward stole second base, and the throw to second bounced into center field, allowing Hickey to score.

Worcester added a pair in the third. With the bases loaded and two away, Nate Baez grounded a two-run single up the middle to extend the lead to 6-0.

Allan Castro singled home a run in the top of the fourth to make it a 7-0 ballgame.

The IronPigs runs came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Keaton Anthony tallied an RBI single, and Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit a two-run homer.

Vinny Capra added a solo shot down the left-field line to make it 8-3.

In his first outing back from the big leagues, WooSox starter Jedixson Paez tossed 3.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out four.

Noah Song followed Paez and tossed 2.2 hitless and scoreless innings. Over his last 15 appearances, Song has posted a 2.41 ERA.

The WooSox and IronPigs continue their six-game series tomorrow night at Coca-Cola Park, with first pitch set for 6:45 pm. Blake Wehunt (2-1, 3.03) is scheduled to make his ninth Triple-A start for Worcester, while Lehigh Valley counters with Alan Rangel (3-7, 5.23). Radio coverage begins at 6:25 pm on 98.9 Nash Icon and the rest of the WooSox Radio Network.