Crismatt stellar in opener as IronPigs split DH with Syracuse Mets

Nabil Crismatt had a no-hitter for 5 1/3 innings and allowed only one hit and two walks in six innings of Lehigh Valley’s 2-0 win in Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Syracuse Mets at Coca-Cola Park.

Crismatt (2-1) struck out nine and threw 14 of 21 first-pitch strikes for the IronPigs. He threw 53 of 79 pitches for strikes in his bid to become the first in franchise history to throw a no-hitter. The right-hander efficiently used all five of his pitches: 2-seam and 4-seam fastballs, curve, slider and changeup to keep Syracuse off balance. The Mets hit only three balls to the outfield in the first six innings.

Brett de Geus picked up his save after allowed the tying run to reach base in the seventh inning.

Gabriel Rincones did not reach base in Game 1, the first time in the 12 games he has played in this season.

Syracuse won the second game 7-0.

Lehigh Valley relievers allowed only three earned runs in 18 innings in the series before Michael Mercado gave up three runs in the seventh inning of Game 2.

How they scored: (Game 1: IronPigs 2, Mets 0)

Bottom 3: Erick Brito singled to lead off, took second when Otto Kemp was hit with a pitch with one out and scored on Buddy Kennedy’s two-out single to left field. Kennedy was in a 1-for-20 slump before that hit. IronPigs 1-0.

Bottom 5: Otto Kemp doubled off the right-field wall with one out, took third on Gabriel Rincones’ grounder and scored on Kennedy’s sacrifice fly to right. IronPigs 2-0.

How they scored: (Game 2: Mets 7, IronPigs 0)

Top 1: Jose Azocar was hit by pitch to start the game, took third on Joey Meneses’ one-out single and scored on Luke Ritter’s double to right. Donovan Walton’s groundout scored Meneses. Mets 2-0.

Top 2: Jakson Reetz walked, took third on Diego Castillo’s double to right and scored when Azocar’s grounder was booted. The IronPigs have at least one error in 12 of their 15 games this season. Mets 3-0.

Top 5: Azocar singled with one out, took third on Jon Singleton’s single and scored on Meneses’ single. Mets 4-0.

Top 7: Luis De Los Santos singled, took third on Azocar’s single and scored on Singleton’s double down the left-field line. Azocar scored on Meneses’ third single of the game. Singleton scored on a wild pitch by Michael Mercado. Mets 7-0.

Rehabbing pitchers

LHP Ranger Suárez (low back stiffness) will make his rehab start Tuesday for low-A Clearwater at Palm Beach. RHP Andrew Painter (Tommy John surgery) will start Friday for Clearwater at Palm Beach.

Up next

Lehigh Valley’s second road trip of 2025 starts Tuesday with an 11:05 a.m. game at Gwinnett, Triple-A affiliate of the Braves. Pitching matchups have not been announced. The six-game series continues Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with 7:05 p.m. starts, followed by a 6:05 first pitch Saturday and 1:05 in the series finale Sunday.

The IronPigs return home April 22 for six games against Columbus.

Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com