IL1 Syracuse Mets

12th-Inning Rally Gives Chiefs Ninth Straight Win

Published on June 26, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, claimed their ninth straight win with a wild 3-2 victory over the Durham Bulls in 12 innings. After Corey Brown's home run tied the game in the eighth inning, the teams exchanged runs in the 11th before Jim Negrych's go-ahead single provided the eventual game-winning tally in the top of the 12th inning.

In the fateful 12th, Brown led off with a single against right-hander Ryan Reid, before a wild pitch advanced the center field to second base. After an Erik Komatsu strikeout and intentional walk to Xavier Paul, pinch-hitter Zach Duke laid down a sacrifice bunt to advanced runners to second and third. Duke was pinch-hitting in the cleanup spot after Chiefs manager Tony Beasley put designated hitter Mark Teahen at first base in the 11th, forfeiting the DH. Teahen was then intentionally walked to load the bases for Negrych, who sent a searing line drive off of Reid and out to shortstop Reid Brignac, whose throw to first base was low, allowing Brown to cross with what proved to be the winning run.

Neither team scored until the fourth inning, when Durham (37-43) staged a small rally against Syracuse starter John Lannan. Catcher Chris Gimenez began the inning with a walk, and first baseman Brandon Allen's single advanced him to third. Second baseman Tim Beckham then bounced a single to center field, scoring Gimenez for a 1-0 lead. But Lannan worked out of the jam with a double-play groundout and a strikeout to steer clear of further damage.

Meanwhile, Syracuse (41-37) was shut down for seven and two-thirds innings by two Durham pitchers. Rehabbing major-leaguer Kyle Farnsworth struck out two hitters in a scoreless first before giving way to previously scheduled starter Matt Torra. The right-hander dazzled with six and two-thirds inning of three-hit ball, until he ran into Brown in the eighth. The Chiefs' home run leader launched a two-out pitch from Torra deep into the right field stands, knotting the game at one. The long ball was Brown's team-leading 17th of the season.

Syracuse nearly won the game in the ninth inning without the benefit of a hit. Chris Marrero led off with a walk and moved to second base on a Dane De La Rosa wild pitch. After a Teahen strikeout and Negrych lineout, pinch-runner Brett Carroll advanced to third on another wild pitch. Third baseman Carlos Rivero then walked on the 12th pitch of a lengthy battle with De La Rosa and stole second base. But with two runners aboard, De La Rosa retired catcher Koyie Hill on a groundout to first base, ending the inning.

The Chiefs also rallied in the tenth inning, thanks to an error allowing Seth Bynum to reach, a sacrifice bunt from Brown, and a two-out intentional walk of Paul. However, right-hander Bryan Augenstein induced a foul pop out from Carlos Maldonado to end that frame.

In the 11th frame, Teahen bunted for a base hit on right-hander Bryan Augenstein's first pitch of the inning. After a Negrych sacrifice bunt advanced Teahen to second, Rivero lined a 2-2 pitch to the right of second baseman Tim Beckham, scoring Teahen for a 2-1 lead.

But Durham had an answer in the bottom of the inning against right-hander Hassan Pena. After Brignac led off with a walk, Matt Mangini slashed a single to left field, advancing Brignac to third base. Right fielder Jeff Salazar then pushed a sacrifice bunt out to second base, scoring Brignac and advancing pinch-runner Shawn O'Malley to second. But after an intentional walk of Rich Thompson, Pena recovered to strike out pinch-hitter Henry Wrigley and retire Stephen Vogt on a foul pop out.

Syracuse reliever Christian Garcia would close the game out in the bottom of the 12th inning with a 1-2-3 frame - the first time a Chiefs pitcher had faced the minimum in one inning since the bottom of the fifth.

The Chiefs and Bulls will tangle for the second game of a four-game set on Wednesday night at 7:05. Syracuse right-hander Tanner Roark and Durham right-hander Lance Pendleton are the scheduled starters.

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