Thompson records three-hit game, but Lehigh Valley rallies for 5-4 win over Syracuse in Tuesday's series opener

Press Release: Allentown, PA - Once trailing, 4-1, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs rallied to win, 5-4, over the Syracuse Mets in the series opener on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park. Despite the loss, David Thompson went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Mets (Box Score). 

Syracuse (39-61-1) got on the board in the top of the second inning. Khalil Lee led off with a triple. Thompson followed with a two-run home run to put the Mets ahead, 2-0. It was Thompson’s second straight at-bat with a home run after hitting a game-tying homer right before the early completion of Sunday’s series finale against Rochester.

Lehigh Valley (46-55) scored its first run in the bottom of the third. Mark Appel worked a one-out walk. After Adam Haseley grounded into a fielder’s choice, he stole second base with C.J. Chatham at the plate. Chatham then hit an RBI double to cut the deficit to one, 2-1.

The Mets added two runs in the top of the sixth. With two outs and no one on, Khalil Lee was hit by a pitch. Thompson then picked up another hit with a single. After Zach McAllister came out of the bullpen to replace Appel, Travis Blankenhorn walked. That brought up Wilfredo Tovar, who hit a two-run single, scoring Lee and Thompson to put Syracuse up, 4-1.

The IronPigs responded in the bottom of the sixth. Derek Hall led off with a single, and then T.J. Rivera hit a two-run home run to bring Lehigh Valley within one, 4-3. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Haseley hit a leadoff single. Chatham followed with a go-ahead, two-run homer to put Lehigh Valley in front, 5-4.

After both teams left the bases loaded in the eighth, the score was still 5-4 IronPigs going to the ninth. Jeff Singer came out of the Lehigh Valley bullpen and retired Cuthbert and Mark Payton before giving up a two-run double to Albert Almora Jr. With Khalil Lee at the plate, Almora Jr. took off for third base on a ball in the dirt but was thrown out at third base by IronPigs catcher Tyler Heineman for the game’s final out.

The Mets and IronPigs return to Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 7:05