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IL1 Syracuse Mets

Mandel, Chiefs Snap Losing Streak in 5-1 Win

July 18, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, broke a nine-game losing streak on Wednesday night in a 5-1 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox. Right-hander Jeff Mandel threw eight innings to earn the win, with third baseman Carlos Rivero and center fielder Corey Brown each slugging a two-run home run to provide ample offensive support.

Syracuse (45-52) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning thanks to a combination of small ball and a long ball. First baseman Mark Teahen led off the inning with a bunt single down the third-base line on starting pitcher Billy Buckner's first pitch of the inning. After a Jesus Valdez fly out, Rivero worked the count to 3-2. Then, on the seventh pitch he saw from Buckner, Rivero smashed a two-run home run far over the wall in left-center field. The home run, Rivero's fourth of the season and second in three games, gave the Chiefs a 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Mandel tossed four scoreless innings before running into a spot of trouble in the fifth. Pawtucket (54-45) grabbed three straight two-out singles on a J.C. Linares ground ball to left field and a pair of bloop singles to right field from Alex Hassan and Che-Hsuan Lin. Lin's single scored Linares and cut the Syracuse lead to 2-1.

But the Chiefs responded in the seventh inning. Brown singled with one out against right-hander Alex Wilson before moving to second base on a Josh Johnson ground out. On the very next pitch, second baseman Jim Negrych cracked a double into the right-center field gap, scoring Brown for a 3-1 advantage.

Syracuse's center fielder would add some insurance in the ninth inning against Mark Prior. After a Carlos Maldonado walk and Koyie Hill pop out, Brown slammed a 2-1 pitch into the bleachers in right-center field for a two-run home run. The homer was Brown's team-high 20th of the season and first in July.

That run support was more than enough for Mandel, who completed eight innings for the first time in his Triple-A career and second time in his minor league career. The right-hander dipped his ERA to 1.83 while allowing just six hits, walking none and striking out three.

Right-hander Christian Garcia tossed a scoreless ninth inning to close out the Red Sox.

Syracuse will look to earn a split of its four-game series with Pawtucket at 12:05 on Thursday afternoon. Chiefs right-hander Tanner Roark is scheduled to throw against Red Sox hurler Zach Stewart.

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