IL1 Syracuse Mets

Chiefs Roll Tides 9-4

May 19, 2011 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs (16-22), the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, overcame a first-inning deficit against the Norfolk Tides (14-27) for the second straight game to win 9-4 Thursday in Alliance Bank Stadium. After allowing four Norfolk runs in the first, Syracuse's pitchers allowed just one hit the rest of the game. Designated hitter Michael Aubrey also continued his strong play as of late going 2-for-5 with four RBI.

After scoring three first-inning runs against the Chiefs in a 10-4 loss Wednesday, Norfolk started Thursday's contest with three straight singles that put the score at 1-0 with runners on first and second. The lefty Detwiler got two outs in a row before walking Rhyne Hughes to load the bases. Leftfielder Nick Green then hit a bases-clearing double to put the Tides' lead at 4-0.

But the Chiefs quickly started to take advantage of Norfolk's starter Chorye Spoone, who struggled with his control through three innings. The righthander walked six batters, gave up three hits and only struck out three in his brief stint at the mound.

Gregor Blanco started Syracuse's rally with some crafty baserunning. The centerfielder drew a leadoff walk then stole second and third base to get in scoring position. With two outs, Spoone sent a wild pitch just past catcher John Hester, but Blanco still managed to score before the Tides could recover.

Blanco's run put the score at 4-1, and the Chiefs would score again in the second and third. After back-to-back strikeouts two leadoff the second, a Chris McConnell single and two walks loaded the bases. Aubrey then knocked a single just past diving first baseman Hughes to score two, closing the gap to 4-3.

Syracuse started the third with two straight outs again but Adam Fox followed up Jhonatan Solano's walk with a deep triple off the leftfield wall that knotted the game at 4-4.

The Chiefs took the lead in the fifth with Norfolk reliever Mark Hendrickson at the mound. After a Tug Hulett single, Jesus Valdez just beat out an inning-ending double play in the following at-bat. He stole second with Jhonatan Solano at the plate and scored the go-ahead run on the catcher's RBI single.

After Norfolk's hot start, the Chiefs' pitchers shut down the Tides' offense. Detwiler allowed just one hit the rest of his five innings after giving up four in the first. Syracuse relievers Ryan Mattheus, Lee Hyde and Jeff Mandel then hurled four no-hit innings to close out the game.

The Syracuse bats added four insurance runs in the eighth against righty Mark Worrell. Aubrey stepped to the plate for the second time in the game with the bases loaded and two outs. He blooped a high pop-up just inside the leftfield line for a two-RBI double that put the lead at 7-4. The bases filled up again one batter later on a Chris Marrero walk, and Tug Hulett's two-RBI single created the final margin.

Syracuse will look for the series sweep against the Tides Friday at 7pm when Chiefs righthander Brad Meyers takes the mound at Alliance Bank Stadium.

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