Francisco Alvarez Homers Twice But Mets Fall to IronPigs, 11-9, on Saturday Night
IL Syracuse Mets

Francisco Alvarez Homers Twice But Mets Fall to IronPigs, 11-9, on Saturday Night

July 12, 2025 - International League (IL)
Syracuse Mets News Release


Francisco Alvarez of the Syracuse Mets watches one of his homers
Francisco Alvarez of the Syracuse Mets watches one of his homers
(Syracuse Mets, Credit: Kylie Richelle)

Syracuse, NY - After last night's extra-inning heroics, the Syracuse Mets nearly completed another remarkable comeback on Saturday night but ran out of steam in an 11-9 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at NBT Bank Stadium. Francisco Alvarez homered twice in the game, helping Syracuse nearly complete the comeback.

Lehigh Valley (54-36, 8-8) jumped out to an early lead, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning.

Syracuse (43-49, 12-5) also scored in the first inning when Jose Azocar led off with a double and Pablo Reyes ripped an RBI single to make it a 6-1 game.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Mets pulled within three. Reyes singled and Drew Gilbert blasted a two-run homer that cut the deficit, 6-3.

The score held until the top of the seventh inning when the IronPigs blew the game wide open with a five-run frame to take an 11-3 lead.

Syracuse did its best to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth when Luis De Los Santos singled and Francisco Alvarez crushed a two-run home run, bringing the score to 11-5.

The Mets didn't go down easy, putting the pressure on the IronPigs in the bottom of the ninth inning. After Azocar doubled, Gilberto Celestino walked, and Francisco Alvarez smacked a three-run homer, cutting the Lehigh Valley lead down to three, 11-8. Alvarez now has seven homers in 16 Triple-A games. Right after the homer, Reyes doubled, and Gilbert doubled to score him and make it an 11-9 ballgame, the closest Syracuse would get.

On the mound, the Mets used seven bullpen arms, four of which didn't allow a run. Joshua Cornielly made his Triple-A debut, pitched two innings, and didn't give up an earned run. Jose Castillo faced four batters and struck three out, Brooks Raley tossed a scoreless fifth, and Daniel Juarez pitched two innings without allowing a run in his first career Triple-A game.

Syracuse ends its six-game series with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Blade Tidwell is scheduled to pitch for the Mets against righty Andrew Painter for the IronPigs. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

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Images from this story

Francisco Alvarez of the Syracuse Mets watches one of his homers
Francisco Alvarez of the Syracuse Mets watches one of his homers
(Kylie Richelle)		   



International League Stories from July 12, 2025


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