IL1 Syracuse Mets

5-Run Second Leads Chiefs Past Clippers

Published on May 17, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, returned to their winning ways on Thursday night with a 6-1 victory over the Columbus Clippers. Five of the Chiefs' six runs came in the second inning, and three Chiefs pitchers combined to hold down a potent Columbus attack.

The night after Syracuse (19-22) had its seven-game winning streak was snapped, the Chiefs ignited their offense early in the second. With one out and Xavier Paul on first base, designated hitter Jim Negrych slammed a 1-1 offering from Clippers starter Paolo Espino over the right field wall for a two-run home run. Negrych, who had five home runs in 106 games with Double-A Jacksonville last season, has already hit three home runs in just 14 games this year.

Brett Carroll followed with a walk and Seth Bynum reached on an infield single. After a passed ball moved the runners to second and third, catcher James Skelton, in his first Syracuse game, hit a ground ball to second to score Carroll. Left fielder Corey Brown then followed with a double off the right-center field wall on an 0-2 pitch, plating Bynum to give the Chiefs a 4-0 lead. Not to be outdone, shortstop Josh Johnson laced an 0-2 pitch right down the third base line for another run-scoring double, putting Syracuse ahead by a 5-0 score. Johnson, in his 29th Triple-A game, collected his first Triple-A hit since a double in his first ever Syracuse game.

Columbus (19-21) answered with an unearned run against right-hander Mitch Atkins in the bottom half of the frame. With one out, Andy LaRoche reached on an error by third baseman Carlos Rivero. Two batters later, Russ Canzler lined a single in front of Brown, who lost the ball in the sun, cutting the lead to 5-1.

That would be the only run Columbus scored, with Atkins twirling a brief but effective start. In five innings, he allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out two. Right-hander Tanner Roark followed Atkins with three scoreless innings, striking out five, while Josh Wilkie tossed a perfect ninth to close the game out.

The Chiefs would add a seventh-inning run as well, with Paul's single scoring Mark Teahen from second base. Paul was two for four in the game, increasing his batting average to a team-best .329.

Syracuse and Columbus will finish their series on Friday night with a 7:05 start time. Left-hander Zach Duke is the scheduled starter for Syracuse.

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