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IL1 Syracuse Mets

Stellar Pitching Leads Tides over Chiefs

July 23, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, lost to the Norfolk Tides, 6-1, Monday night at Alliance Bank Stadium. Norfolk starter Steve Johnson tossed seven strong innings to spearhead the Tides to a series split.

Norfolk (53-51) got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Nate McLouth's groundout to second base drove home Zelous Wheeler with the game's first run.

The Tides tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. Luis Exposito blasted a two-out, two-run homer to put Norfolk up 3-0.

Norfolk got right back at it in the top of the fifth inning. Xavier Avery and McLouth led off the frame with singles. Then, Lew Ford drove Avery home on a double to center field, just out of the reach of center fielder Eury Perez. One out later, Brandon Waring brought McLouth home with a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-0 Tides.

Syracuse (47-55) finally broke through with a run of its own in the bottom of the fifth inning. Carlos Rivero led off the inning with a double, moved to third on Brett Carroll's groundout, and scored on another ground ball by Koyie Hill. Hill's fourth RBI in as many games cut the Chiefs' deficit to 5-1.

That run would be the lone blemish on an otherwise sparkling start for Johnson. He allowed just one run on four hits in his seven innings of work to earn his fourth win of the season.

Meanwhile, Avery gave the Tides an extra insurance run with a solo homer in the top of the seventh inning that flew over the manual scoreboard in right-center field to give Norfolk a 6-1 lead.

Oscar Villarreal and Pat Neshek combined to throw two scoreless innings out of the Tides' bullpen to end the game.

Next up, the Chiefs head to Rochester to take on the Red Wings Tuesday night at 7:05. Right-hander Tanner Roark is slated to start for Syracuse. Rochester will counter with Shairon Martis.

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