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IL1 Syracuse Mets

Gwynn, Chiefs Walk off over Clippers

May 2, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


Syracuse, NY (5/2/2015) - The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, won their second game in a row against the Columbus Clippers, 7-6, on a walkoff hit by Tony Gwynn, Jr. Gwynn hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning and drove in pinch-runner Josh Johnson in the bottom of the ninth to seal the win for the Chiefs.

Columbus (11-12) struck in the top of the first in Saturday's afternoon game. Chiefs pitcher Taylor Jordan surrendered a leadoff walk to Clippers designated hitter Francisco Lindor, who advanced to second when Jordan hit first baseman Jesus Aguilar two batters later. The damage finally came in the next at-bat. Shortstop Zach Walters doubled into the right-field corner to drive in Lindor.

Syracuse (9-14) struck back right away. In the bottom of the first, leadoff hitter Emmanuel Burriss singled to left field. Three batters later, designated hitter Ian Stewart hit a rocket to right-center field that bounced off the wall. The speedy Burriss scored from second and Stewart had a standup double to tie the game at one apiece.

One inning later, the Chiefs took control of the game with a two-out solo home run by catcher Steven Lerud. Clippers right fielder Nick Swisher could only look up and watch the ball sail over the fence, giving Syracuse a 2-1 lead.

Following four shutout innings from Jordan, Syracuse tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth. Stewart hit a ground-rule double down the right-field line to lead off the inning. Clippers pitcher Bruce Chen walked second baseman Cutter Dykstra and then Lerud singled to left field to drive in Stewart for a 3-1 advantage.

The Clippers snapped their five-inning scoreless streak in the top of the seventh where they racked up four runs. Third baseman Ryan Rohlinger hit a one-out single to start the rally. Chiefs reliever Mitch Lively then walked two consecutive batters to load the bases for Aguilar. Manny Delcarmen entered the game to face Aguilar who hit a sacrifice fly to Matt den Dekker in center that drove in Rohlinger. On the next pitch, Walters smacked a three-run home run to put the Clippers ahead 5-3.

Not to be outdone, the Chiefs added two of their own in the bottom of the frame to tie the game. Lerud singled to lead off the inning. With two outs and Lerud still on first, Gwynn got his first hit of the day with a two-run homerun that went barely over Swisher's glove in right before landing on the other side of the fence to tie the game at five.

Rafael Martin took over for Delcarmen in the top of the ninth for the Chiefs. He struck out the first batter he faced, but then Swisher came to the dish for his fifth at-bat of the day in his rehab stint with Columbus. With a swing of the bat, Swisher crushed the ball over the right-field fence to put the Clippers up 6-5.

In the bottom of the ninth, Dykstra led off with a single and then stole second when Lerud struck out. Kila Ka'aihue pinch-hit for Kevin Mattison and smacked a double off the right-center field wall to drive in Dykstra and tie the game at six. Columbus pitcher Austin Adams walked Burriss in the next at-bat to put runners on first and second with Josh Johnson pinch-running for Ka'aihue. Coming off a home run in his previous at-bat, Gwynn hit a soft line drive to left field that scored Johnson and won the game in walkoff fashion for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs are back at it again Sunday afternoon for the third and final game against the Clippers. Syracuse right-hander Taylor Hill will face Columbus left-hander Nick Maronde at the 1:05 p.m. start.

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