IL1 Syracuse Mets

Chiefs Blast Knights in Series Opener

Published on May 15, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, beat the Charlotte Knights, 9-3, Friday night at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Charlotte. Matthew Spann was outstanding in a spot start for the Chiefs, surrendering just an unearned run in six quality innings.

Charlotte (19-15) took the early lead in its first turn at bat. Neftali Soto walked with two outs off Spann and moved up to third when Matt Davidson reached on an error by right fielder Matt den Dekker. Soto scored on a double by Dan Black to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead.

Syracuse (16-19) would score the next six runs of the game, starting in the third. den Dekker started the inning with a walk off Knights starter Erik Johnson. Three batters later, shortstop Emmanuel Burriss tripled home den Dekker to square the game at one.

The Chiefs took the lead for good in the fifth. Steve Lerud walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. He scored on a double by Tony Gwynn, Jr. to give the Chiefs the lead. A batter later, Darin Mastroianni singled in Gwynn to give Syracuse a 3-1 edge.

In their next turn at bat, the Chiefs broke it open. Mark Minicozzi and Kila Ka'aihue each walked off Knights reliever Jarrett Casey to start the sixth. Den Dekker then singled to right, scoring Minicozzi and extending the lead to 4-1. Three batters later, Burriss came through again, this time with a two-RBI single to give the Chiefs a 6-1 lead.

Charlotte began to chip away at the lead in the seventh. Sam Runion came out of the bullpen and after an error by Burriss, a walk, and a single, the Knights loaded the bases with no outs. Syracuse turned to Mitch Lively, who got Drew Garcia to ground into a fielder's choice. Trayce Thompson scored from third on the out to make the score 6-2. Micah Johnson then picked up a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to three, but the damage was halted there.

Ian Stewart finished off any hopes of a comeback in the ninth. Stewart hit a three-run home run to right field, his league-leading seventh, to push the Chiefs lead to 9-3.

Syracuse and Charlotte return to BB&T Ballpark Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Scott McGregor is scheduled for the Chiefs opposite Kyle Drabek for the Knights.

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International League Stories from May 15, 2015


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