IL1 Syracuse Mets

Tides Squeak by Chiefs, 4-3, in Norfolk

Published on July 3, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, dropped their third straight one-run game in a 4-3 loss to the Norfolk Tides on Tuesday night. Syracuse cut into a 4-1 deficit with two runs in the eighth inning, but right-hander Pat Neshek closed out the final two frames as the Chiefs lost their fourth straight game overall - by a total of just five runs.

For the second straight night, Norfolk (44-43) scored in the first inning. The Tides' rally started with two outs against right-hander Yunesky Maya, who allowed a bloop single to shortstop Steve Tolleson. First baseman Joe Mahoney then followed with a double high off the right-center field wall, and Tolleson raced around from first base to score the game's opening run.

Syracuse (43-42) would answer in the third inning against left-handed reliever J.C. Romero, who made a spot start for the Tides. With one out, Romero hit center fielder Corey Brown, who then stole second. After a Jarrett Hoffpauir fly out, left fielder Jim Negrych hit a ground ball in the hole between first and second base. Second baseman Blake Davis initially gloved the ground ball, but he then lost his balance and the ball. Brown raced home to tie the game at one.

But the Tides re-took the lead in the fifth thanks to Monday's walkoff-home run hitter, Nate McLouth. With Caleb Joseph on first base, and one out, McLouth launched an 0-1 pitch from Maya into the Norfolk bullpen in right field. The center fielder's fourth home run of the season gave Norfolk a 3-1 lead.

The Tides added an unearned run in the seventh inning against reliever Jeff Mandel. McLouth walked with one out and moved to second base on a single by Tolleson, before Mahoney bounced a ground ball back to the mound. Mandel threw to Seth Bynum for the force at second base, but Bynum's throw to first was low and skipped away from Chris Marrero, allowing McLouth to score with Norfolk's fourth run.

Syracuse would have one more rally in its bats in the top of the eighth. With one out, Brown and Hoffpauir each hit ground-ball singles off of right-hander Greg Burke, who was promptly removed for Neshek. Negrych then stepped in and sliced a single down the right field line, scoring Brown and advancing Hoffpauir to third base. After a Marrero strikeout, Neshek tossed an 0-2 pitch to Brett Carroll to the backstop. Hoffpauir scored on the wild pitch, cutting the lead to 4-3, but Neshek recovered to strike out Carroll on the next pitch.

The right-hander then retired the side in the ninth inning, with Koyie Hill's fly out to the right-field warning track ending the game.

Syracuse returns home on Wednesday night to begin a three-game series against the Buffalo Bisons at 6:30. Chiefs left-hander Zach Duke and Bisons right-hander Matt Harvey are the scheduled Independence Day starters.

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International League Stories from July 3, 2012


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