The Syracuse Chiefs fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Lehigh Valley homered twice in the top of the ninth to sweep the series.The game was scoreless until Syracuse (13-26) got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two
The Syracuse Chiefs fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Lehigh Valley homered twice in the top of the ninth to sweep the series.
The game was scoreless until Syracuse (13-26) got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs, Brandon Snyder doubled off Michael Mariot to right-center field. Pedro Severino then singled to center, scoring Snyder.
Joe Nathan entered the game in the top of the ninth in hopes of closing the game. But on Nathan's first pitch, Nick Williams blasted a shot over the left-field fence to tie the game. It was the 42-year-old's first blown save in five tries and the second homer he'd given up all season. The next batter, Cameron Perkins, walked. Taylor Featherston then hit a 2-0 fastball over the left-field wall, putting Lehigh Valley (29-14) up 3-1.
The Chiefs struck back in the bottom of the ninth. Caleb Ramsey singled off Pat Venditte on a line drive to center with one out. Clint Robinson pinch-hit for Nathan and also singled to center. After Rafael Bautista struck out, Irving Falu singled to right, plating Ramsey and putting the Chiefs within one. Pinch-runner Corban Joseph went from first to third on the play. However, Adrían Sanchez then struck out to end the game.
Kyle McGowin pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits. His ERA dropped to 4.38, a significant drop from 5.79. The 25-year-old didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning. Bautista went 3 for 5 with a double.
The Chiefs have an off day Monday before returning to action Tuesday night at 7:05 against Charlotte. Joe Ross is set to start for Syracuse while Carson Fulmer will pitch for the Knights.
