IL1 Syracuse Mets

Chiefs Edge Mud Hens in Series Opener

Published on May 18, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, claimed the first game of their four-game set with the Toledo Mud Hens in a 6-4 win on Saturday night. Syracuse scored five runs in the game's first two innings and hung on late to give Danny Rosenbaum his team-high fourth win of the season.

Syracuse (16-26) opened the scoring with a pair of first-inning runs against Mud Hens southpaw Ramon Garcia. With two outs and Jeff Kobernus at second base after a double, first baseman Chris Marrero slammed a double down the left-field line to drive in the game's first run. Center fielder Corey Brown followed up with a run-scoring single to right field, plating Marrero for a 2-0 lead.

The Chiefs kept the pressure up with a three-run second inning. Zach Walters reached on an infield single to start the frame, before Carlos Rivero singled as well. After a sacrifice bunt from new catcher Brian Jeroloman, right fielder Chris Rahl laced a double down the line in left field. The two-base hit scored a pair and extended Rahl's hit streak to a season-high 11 games. Kobernus immediately followed with another line-tracing double to left field, putting the Chiefs ahead by five runs.

Toledo (14-30) grabbed its first run with a second-inning score against Rosenbaum. Ben Guez started the rally when he walked with one out and advanced to second base on a balk. Two batters later, designated hitter Bryan Holaday lined a single into left field, cutting the Chiefs' lead to 5-1.

The Mud Hens wouldn't score again against Rosenbaum, who worked through seven innings of five-walk ball with only one run allowed. He surrendered just five hits and struck out six in a 112-pitch outing.

The eighth inning, however, saw Toledo launch a late-game charge against the Chiefs' bullpen. With one out and left-hander Xavier Cedeno in, Danny Dorn singled to center field before Guez reached on an error by Rivero. With runners at the corners, catcher Ramon Cabrera served a run-scoring double into left field, plating Dorn and ending Cedeno's night. Right-hander Mike Crotta would enter to strike out Holaday, but pinch-hitter Quintin Berry followed that with a two-run double over Kobernus' head in left field. Guez and Cabrera scored to bring Toledo within 5-4, before Crotta ended the threat by striking out Argenis Diaz.

Syracuse responded with a ninth-inning insurance run. Brown singled with one out against left-hander Kenny Faulk, and Micah Owings followed with a double. After a Walters strikeout and intentional walk of Rivero, Jeroloman worked a five-pitch walk, forcing in Brown for a 6-4 lead.

In the bottom of the frame, Toledo put the first two runners on against Chiefs closer Erik Davis thanks to singles from Kevin Russo and Jordan Lennerton. Davis retired the next two hitters before walking Guez to load the bases, bringing up Cabrera. After a first-pitch ball, Davis induced a pop out to Marrero at first base, stranding all three runners to end the game.

Syracuse and Toledo will resume their series at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon. Chiefs right-hander Ross Ohlendorf is scheduled to throw against Mud Hens left-hander Jose Alvarez.

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International League Stories from May 18, 2013


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