SkyChiefs play spoiler over Lynx

by Ed Gonser
August 11, 2003 - International League (IL1)

Syracuse -- The pitching has been great, and the hits have been timely, but a break now and then has helped the Syracuse SkyChiefs out of the Northern Division basement.

Jayson Werth hit a bases-loaded, two-run single that sparked a four-run seventh inning and gave the SkyChiefs a come-from-behind 6-4 win over the Ottawa Lynx Monday at P&C Stadium.

"We keep on playing consistent baseball," Syracuse first baseman Gary Burnham said. "We keep putting up the W's and things are going to happen in the league. It's the last three and a half weeks of the season a lot of the guys are tired and we are going to see what guys are made of...We are playing great baseball right now...and only good things are going to happen when you win games."

Ottawa (62-60) opened the scoring in the fourth on a solo home run by Luis Lopez off of Syracuse starter Evan Thomas.

Syracuse (58-63) answered with two runs in the fifth on a couple of gifts from the Lynx.

Ken Huckaby singled and advanced to third on Jorge Sequea's double. Huckaby scored on a balk by Ottawa starter Mike Drumright and then Drumright threw a wild pitch that scored Sequea.

"Right now things are going in our direction," Burnham said. "Whatever the equation is it's just happening for us right now. We are able to get the runs when we need them and able to shut guys down when we have to defensively."

The Lynx regained the lead when Tim Raines, Jr., doubled home a run in the sixth and Geronimo Gil doubled home a run in the seventh.

Aaron Rakers (1-4) replaced Drumright on the mound in the seventh and gave up four runs including Werth's two-run single.

Mike Mohler replaced Rakers after only 1/3 of an inning and walked Mike Colangelo and Gabe Gross scoring Gary Burnham and Werth. Both runs were charged to Rakers.

"One thing's for sure," said a disappointed Lynx manager Gary Allenson, "when you walk nine batters, you aren't going to win too many games."

"We let their guy off the hook way too many times," said Allenson. "It was the kind of game we should have been leading 6-1."

Scott Cassidy (3-4) earned the win in relief and Brian Bowles had the save.

Not only out of the basement but Syracuse is enjoying moderate success since the All-Star break with a 19-9 record.

"This team has gotten a lot better over the last two weeks and our pitching has been dynamite," Huckaby said. "Were getting key hits when we need them and that's been a big key since the break. It's been all on our pitchers shoulders and they have been throwing great games. If we keep winning we are going to be in a situation (to challenge for the wild card spot). There are still plenty of games left. Nothing is out of our reach but we're realistic that it's a big goal to try and obtain. But, anything can happen."

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is in the driver's seat as the league's wild card team. Ottawa, fourth in the Northern Division is a 1/2 game back of the Buffalo Bisons and three games out of the wild card playoff spot with the loss.

The win pulled the SkyChiefs out of the division basement by a 1/2 game over the idle Rochester Red Wings.

The Pawtucket Red Sox, idle last night, lead the division by four full games over the Red Barons.

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• SkyChiefs play spoiler over Lynx - OSC Original by Ed Gonser
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