Fleeing of Syracuse begins

by Ed Gonser
Published on August 27, 2003 under International League (IL1)

Syracuse--The fleeing of Syracuse is underway in earnest. The sprint for the bus station, rail station, airline ticket counter or whatever mode of transportation can get them out of Syracuse the fastest has begun for the SkyChiefs players.

Although, the company line is that no one has bagged the season, the reality is that Syracuse has dropped its last eight games including Wednesday night's 5-0 shutout to the Rochester Red Wings and has fallen to its worst record of the year at 60-76.

If the SkyChiefs' players are being truthful and honest in their comments then they are in complete denial.

Many players have made a feeble attempt to keep a stiff upper chin while continuing to spew rhetoric that the bats aren't there for the key hit or this didn't click or that didn't come together. The fact is that the SkyChiefs have lost the biggest thing that could have saved their season, their own self confidence.

With five games remaining in the season, three in Rochester and a pair at home against the division-leading Pawtucket Red Sox, the SkyChiefs may not win another game before the final out is made.

And out is where this current crop of major league wannabe's wants to be. Out of Syracuse!

Adding to the SkyChiefs woes is a sudden rash of defensive lapses with the duo of Jimmy Alvarez, a team-high 17 errors, and Jorge Sequea (16 errors) leading the way.

Wednesday night, as in many games in the current losing skid, once the SkyChiefs fail to score when given the opportunity early in the game, the team seems to go through the motions for the game's remainder.

The closest Syracuse came to scoring was in the second inning when Mike Colangelo opened the inning with a double but was thrown out at the plate by Ford in his centerfield position when Colangelo tried to score on a single by Simon Pond.

The remainder of the contest saw Rochester pitchers Jeromy Palki, Ryan Mills and Juan Padilla combine on a seven-hit, 5-0 shutout. Palki (6-6) earned the win scattering five hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Lew Ford and Bryan Kennedy each knocked in a pair of runs that gave Palki all the run support he would need. Ford hit a two-run double in the third and Kennedy hit run scoring singles in the fourth and sixth innings.

Evan Thomas (4-8) allowed all five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 5 1/3 for the loss.

For now though, the only bus the SkyChiefs are headed for is the one that will drive them to Rochester for the next three games. Come Sunday and Monday if you get a busy signal at your local travel agent it's a good bet that the line is being tied up by a SkyChiefs' player looking for a ticket to anywhere.

International League Stories from August 27, 2003

• Fleeing of Syracuse begins - OSC Original by Ed Gonser
• Garcia Triples Tides to 5-2 Win - Gwinnett Stripers
• Mike Crudale Optioned To Indianapolis - Indianapolis Indians
• Estrada Named to IL All-Star Team - Gwinnett Stripers
• IL Announces All-Star Team - IL1
• Lynx Playoff Tickets Go On Sale Tomorrow - Ottawa Lynx

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