IL1 Syracuse Mets

Sanchez's Two-Run Single Caps Chiefs Ninth-Inning Comeback in 7-6 Win over Toledo

Published on August 14, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


Toledo, OH - Trailing by a run in the top of the ninth inning and down to their final out, the Syracuse Chiefs scored two runs in the ninth en route to a 7-6 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens on Tuesday Night at Fifth Third Field. The Chiefs also overcome a 4-0 deficit, scoring five straight runs between the fourth and sixth innings, before eventually coming from behind again in the ninth.

Toledo (61-59) took its second lead of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning off Syracuse reliever David Goforth. With the game tied, 5-5, Christin Stewart led off with a triple. Dawel Lugo followed with a single to right field, scoring Stewart to give Toledo a 6-5 lead.

Syracuse (52-69) scored the game's decisive runs in the top of the ninth with Johnny Barbuto on the mound. With one out, Andrew Stevenson reached base with a bunt single, José Marmolejos followed with a single to center field, and then Moisés Sierra singled to right field to load the bases. After Tuffy Gosewisch popped out to first base for the second out of the inning, Adrian Sanchez singled to right field, scoring Stevenson and Marmolejos to give the Chiefs a 7-6 lead. That was the first blown save for Barbato this season, who was 9-for-9 in save opportunities this season before Tuesday.

Chris Smith pitched the bottom of the ninth inning for Syracuse, throwing a scoreless frame despite two walks to secure the win for the Chiefs and earn his first save of the season. It marked just the Chiefs second win when trailing after eight innings this year.

The Mud Hens got on the board in the second inning against Chiefs starting pitcher Brady Dragmire. With two outs, Jason Krizan and Dixon Machado both singled, putting runners on first and second base. Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed with a line drive to center field for a single that brought home Krizan for a 1-0 lead.

Toledo added three runs in the third. Jacob Robson singled, moved to second on a balk, and went to third on a Harold Castro sacrifice bunt. Chad Huffman followed with a double, scoring Robson to give Toledo a 2-0 edge. Stewart then singled to put runners on the corners. Lugo followed with a groundout into a fielder's choice where Stewart was out at second base, but Lugo was safe at first, and Huffman scored to make it a 3-0 ballgame. With Krizan batting, Lugo stole second base. Krizan then singled to right field, plating Lugo to extend Toledo's advantage to 4-0.

The Chiefs scored in the top of the fourth off Toledo starter Jacob Turner. Marmolejos led off with a walk and advanced to second base on a Moisés Sierra groundout. Pedro Severino then walked. Marmolejos went to third and Severino to second on an Adrian Sanchez groundout. Irving Falu followed with a two-out double, scoring both Marmolejos and Severino to cut the deficit in half, 4-2.

Syracuse tied the game in the fifth against Mud Hens relief pitcher Paul Voelker. Chris Dominguez and Bengie Gonzalez both singled to get runners on first and second to start the inning. Victor Robles then reached on a bunt single. On the play, Dominguez scored and Gonzalez went to third because of a missed catch error by Toledo first baseman Jason Krizan as the Toledo lead fell to one, 4-3. Andrew Stevenson followed with a walk to load the bases. Marmolejos also walked, bringing home Gonzalez to knot the game, 4-4.

The Chiefs scored a fifth straight run in the top of the sixth versus Toledo reliever Hunter Cervenka. With one out, Falu singled. Dominguez followed with a double to left field, scoring Falu from first to give the Chiefs a 5-4 lead.

The Mud Hens retied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Lugo was hit by a pitch to start the frame. With Krizan batting, Lugo stole second. Krizan then grounded out, but Lugo advanced to third on the play. After a Machado walk put runners on the corners, Saltalamacchia grounded out to allow Lugo to score and even the score, 5-5.

Syracuse and Toledo close out their three-game series on Wednesday night. RHP Phillips Valdez will make the start for the Chiefs while LHP Ryan Carpenter will be on the mound for the Mud Hens. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from August 14, 2018


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