IL1 Syracuse Mets

Roark, Chiefs Win Eighth Straight against Red Wings

July 24, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, claimed the first game of a series in Rochester with a 6-1 win over the Red Wings. Right-hander Tanner Roark turned in one of his best Syracuse performances, throwing seven innings of one-run ball for the win, as the Chiefs won their eighth straight game against the Red Wings.

Both teams got on the board early with first-inning runs. Syracuse (48-55) struck first against former Chiefs pitcher Shairon Martis, though it came at a price. Left fielder Eury Perez singled to start the game and stole second base, but Perez's helmet collided with shortstop Pedro Florimon's glove hand. Both Perez and Florimon then left the game, with Brett Carroll taking Perez's place. Two batters later, right fielder Jesus Valdez slammed a 1-0 pitch into left for an RBI double, plating Carroll for a 1-0 lead.

Rochester (51-53) needed just one swing to answer. Designated hitter Brian Dinkelman led off the Red Wings' half of the first with a home run to right field off of Roark, blasting a 3-2 pitch into the Rochester bullpen to tie the score.

Martis and Roark would each settle down until Syracuse struck in the fifth inning. Designated hitter Carlos Maldonado and catcher Koyie Hill each singled, before second baseman Seth Bynum advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt. After a Carroll line out, shortstop Josh Johnson scorched a 3-1 fastball deep into the right-center field gap. Both runners crossed home as Johnson stopped at second base with a two-run double, putting the Chiefs up 3-1.

In the seventh inning, Syracuse piled on thanks to Carroll. Hill walked with one out and Bynum doubled him to third base against reliever Bobby Lanigan. Carroll then worked the count to 3-0 before blasting a fastball over the Chiefs' bullpen in left field for a long three-run home run. Those runs would prove to be the last scores of the game.

Meanwhile, Roark cruised after allowing two hits to begin the fourth inning. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Roark induced two fly outs and a strikeout to escape the inning. He then retired the next nine hitters, ending his outing by retiring his final 12 batters. The right-hander allowed just four hits and two walks in his seven innings while striking out a season-high nine. The nine strikeouts

Relievers Hassan Pena and Atahualpa Severino worked through the eighth inning, before Christian Garcia tossed a shutout ninth frame.

Syracuse and Rochester will resume their series on Wednesday night at 7:05. Chiefs left-hander Zach Duke and Red Wings right-hander Esmerling Vasquez are the scheduled starters.

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