The Lehigh Valley IronPigs secured a dominant 12-3 victory over the Red Sox at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Worcester took an early lead in the first inning when Jhostynxon Garcia hit a two-run home run to center field. The IronPigs responded in the fourth inning with a two-run double by Oscar Mercado, tying the game at 2-2. Rafael Lantigua followed with a sacrifice fly to give Lehigh Valley a 3-2 lead. Rodolfo Castro added an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-2. The IronPigs exploded in the eighth inning, scoring eight runs, including a three-run home run by Castro. Seth Johnson closed out the game, allowing a solo home run to Vaughn Grissom in the ninth inning, but secured the win for Lehigh Valley.

The Reading Fightins hosted New Hampshire Thursday night and in the end had to hang on for a 9-7 win.

New Hampshire took an early lead in the third inning when Eddinson Paulino hit a two-run home run, his sixth of the season. The Fisher Cats maintained their advantage until the fifth inning, when Reading erupted for five runs, including a three-run homer by Alex Binelas, who drove in a career-high five runs in the game. The Fightin Phils extended their lead in the seventh inning with two more runs when Carson DeMartini opened the season with a double and later scored on a throwing error following a sacrifice bunt attempt by Henry Mendez. An RBI single by Alex Binelas made it 8-5.

The Fisher Cats fought back in the eighth inning, scoring twice to narrow the deficit to 8-7. However, Reading added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Mendez.

The Jersey Shore BlueClaws fell to the IronBirds 4-1, ending their five-game winning streak. Aberdeen took control early, scoring three runs in the first inning. The BlueClaws struggled offensively, managing only one run in the eighth inning when Dylan Campbell hit a solo home run. Despite a strong pitching performance from Estibenzon Jimenez, who struck out seven batters over six innings, the BlueClaws were unable to mount a comeback.

The Clearwater Threshers and Tampa Tarpons game was postponed due to rain and lightning at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, June 13.

Thursday’s Home Runs: Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Rodolfo Castro (5); Reading Fightins – Alex Binelas (1); Jersey Shore BlueClaws – Dylan Campbell (7)