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IL1 Syracuse Mets

Chiefs Fall Behind Early in Loss to Clippers

May 27, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, dropped their third straight game with a 9-1 loss to the Columbus Clippers on Sunday night. The Chiefs took an early lead with a Mark Teahen run-scoring double, but Columbus scored nine runs over the third and fourth innings to take control of the game.

Syracuse (23-27) scored the game's first run just three batters in against Clippers starter Chris Seddon. Josh Johnson, hitting leadoff for the first time this season, began the game with a single. After a Jhonatan Solano strikeout, Teahen lifted a ball into the gap in left-center field, and Johnson scored all the way from first base to put the Chiefs on the board. The RBI was Teahen's team-leading 36th of the season.

But after two scoreless innings, Columbus (24-25) struck back in the third. Chiefs right-hander Tanner Roark walked Matt Pagnozzi to begin the inning, with Ezequiel Carrera singling after an out. Second baseman Cord Phelps then delivered a three-run home run to right field, putting the Clippers atop the scoreboard. Four batters later, right fielder Chad Huffman slammed a double to deep right-center field, scoring two runs and giving Columbus a 5-1 lead.

In the fourth inning, the Clippers piled on thanks to some patience at the plate. Pagnozzi doubled to start the frame, and Gregorio Petit worked a walk to put two runners aboard. After a sacrifice bunt from Carrera, Phelps was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Pinch-hitter Andy LaRoche then battled back from an 0-2 count to work a walk against Roark, ending the Syracuse starting pitcher's night. Austin Bibens-Dirkx entered in relief, but he then walked Matt LaPorta to force in another run, giving Columbus a 7-1 lead. Two batters later, Huffman laced another two-run hit, with a single to increase the Clippers' lead to 9-1.

Neither team would score from there, with Seddon working seven strong innings for the win. Despite the loss, the Syracuse bullpen excelled, with five and two-thirds innings of scoreless work from Bibens-Dirkx, Cory VanAllen, and Pat Lehman.

The Chiefs will head to Louisville to begin an eight-game road trip on Monday afternoon at 4:05. Right-hander Mitch Atkins is slated to throw for Syracuse against Bats right-hander Wirfin Obispo.

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