IL1 Syracuse Mets

Perez, Chiefs Bash Knights, 8-5

Published on August 22, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, topped the Charlotte Knights in the first of a four-game set, 8-5 on Thursday. Corey Brown's 18th home run of the season and Eury Perez's bases-clearing triple helped propel Syracuse to the victory.

Charlotte (59-73) struck first in the game's initial inning. Marcus Semien led off the frame with a double down the third-base line. After Blake Tekotte flew out to center field, Brent Morel hit his 26th double of the season, scoring Semien from second base. Then, Mike McDade walked to put runners on first and second for Andy Wilkins. Wilkins grounded out to first base, allowing Morel to advance to third and McDade to second. Bryan Anderson extended the inning with a single into right field, scoring Morel from third. The rally ended when Michael Earley flew out to center field, but the Knights led 2-0.

Syracuse (63-70) wasted no time answering Charlotte, sending nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the first. Eury Perez started the rally with a single up the middle. Jeff Kobernus followed with a double into left-center field, advancing Perez to third. Then, with runners on second and third, Danny Espinosa launched a double into the right-center field alley, plating both Perez and Kobernus, tying the game at 2-2. The next batter, Corey Brown, reached when first baseman Jim Gallagher was unable to handle a ground ball, scoring Espinosa and giving the Chiefs a 3-2 lead. After singles from both Chris Marrero and Will Rhymes, the Chiefs had the bases loaded with no one out. Zach Walters was called out on strikes, before Watts struck out swinging. Syracuse would leave all three runners on base when Chris Rahl flew out to center field to end the inning.

The Chiefs' lead would not last long, though, as the Knights added another run in the top of the second inning. Adam Heisler was the first Knight to reach base in the inning when he drew a one-out walk. Then, with Semien at the plate, Heisler stole second base. After Semien flew out to center field, Tekotte singled into right field, scoring Heisler and tying the game at 3-3.

Charlotte regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Gallagher led off with a double into deep center field. After Heisler bunted Gallagher to third base, Semien singled through the left side of the infield, allowing Gallagher to score, giving the Knights a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Chiefs answered once again. With one out and nobody on base, Brown uncorked his 18th home run of the season, a moon shot over the right-field wall, tying the score at 4-4.

The scoring hit a standstill until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Syracuse broke the game open. Brown continued his stellar night with a leadoff double into the right field corner. After Marrero singled into center field, Rhymes stepped to the plate with runners on the corners and no one out. After Rhymes popped out to second base, Walters drew a walk, loading the bases for Watts. Watts hit a chopper to the pitcher Daniel Webb, whose leap went begging when the ball hit off his outstretched glove, allowing Brown to score on the error. Then, with two outs and the bases still loaded, Perez belted a triple into deep right-center field, clearing the bases and giving the Chiefs an 8-4 advantage.

Charlotte tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth. After Brent Morel drew a one-out walk, McDade grounded out to first base, allowing Morel to advance to second base. Andy Wilkins then drove McDade home with a single into left field, cutting the Knights' deficit to 8-5.

The Chiefs bullpen shut down Charlotte, tossing four innings of one-run ball. Tyler Robertson threw two perfect innings, striking out three Knights batters. Erik Davis followed by hurling two innings, allowing just one run.

Syracuse and Charlotte play the second of their four-game series on Friday at 7:00. The Chiefs send left-hander Danny Rosenbaum to the mound to face Knights right-hander Zach Stewart.

Check out the Syracuse Mets Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from August 22, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central