IL1 Syracuse Mets

Indians Rally in Ninth, Clip Chiefs

Published on May 23, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs lost 5-4 to the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse surrendered a 3-2 lead in the ninth to drop its seventh straight game. Matt den Dekker drilled his first home run of the season in the loss for the Chiefs.

Indianapolis (25-18) took an early lead in the top of the first inning against Syracuse starter Bruce Billings. With two outs, Steve Lombardozzi dunked a bloop double down the left-field line to keep the inning alive for the Indians. Deibinson Romero followed with a single to right for his team-leading 25th RBI of the season to drive in the first run of the game.

The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning. Syracuse (16-26) used the long ball to take the lead over Indianapolis. Kila Ka'aihue beat the shift with a line-drive single to right field to lead off the frame for the Chiefs. The very next batter, den Dekker, drove a two-run home run over the right-field fence to give Syracuse its first lead of the night. The blast was den Dekker's first home run of the season.

The Indians answered immediately in the top of the sixth to tie the score at two. Romero drew a walk with one out in the inning. Then, Elias Diaz drilled a double into the left-center field gap. The extra-base hit plated Romero from first; however Diaz was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple.

In the following half inning, the Chiefs retook the lead over the Indians. Tony Gwynn Jr. led off the bottom of the sixth with a ground-ball double down the right-field line. Mark Minicozzi moved Gwynn over to third with a groundout to the shortstop. After an intentional walk to Ian Stewart, Jason Martinson hit a slow chopper to the shortstop Pedro Florimon, which kept Syracuse out of the double play and plated Gwynn to give the home team a 3-2 lead.

The Indians tallied three times in the top of the ninth against Evan Meek to take a lead they would not give up. Diaz and pinch hitter Jaff Decker both singled to put the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on first with no outs. Mel Rojas Jr. tied the game on a Stewart error at third. Then, Gorkys Hernandez placed a perfect bunt down the third-base line to load the bases. Two batters later, Alen Hanson grounded to Jason Martinson at second. Martinson, trying to cut down the go-ahead run at the plate, overthrew Steve Lerud at home plate for a throwing error to allow two Indianapolis runs to touch home plate.

Syracuse scratched across a run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough to complete the comeback for the Chiefs. den Dekker drew a one-out walk and Lerud singled to left to put the tying runs on base. Pinch hitter Josh Johnson grounded out to second base to score den Dekker to make the score 5-4 Indians. A.J. Morris sealed the save for the Indians as he retired Emmanuel Burriss on a groundout to first.

The Chiefs try to avoid sweep against the Indians on Sunday at 5:35 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse sends right-hander Taylor Jordan to the mound against left-hander Clayton Richard for Indianapolis.

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International League Stories from May 23, 2015


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