The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, ended a successful road trip with a 7-0 win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Tuesday afternoon. Syracuse won its third out of four games in the series against the Mud Hens and fifth in eight games between Columbus and Toledo. Outfielder Corey Brown homered and drove in five of the seven runs in the victory, while starting pitcher Mitch Atkins allowed just two hits in six shutout innings.
Syracuse (22-24) jumped ahead early against Mud Hens left-hander Andy Oliver, who had allowed just 27 hits in 44 and one-third innings entering the game. Brett Carroll doubled to lead off the second inning, and Carlos Rivero, who played his first professional game at first base, singled him home just two pitches later. Jason Michaels followed with an infield single before Oliver recorded two outs, but Brown followed to smash open the inning. He crushed a three-run home run well over the right-field fence, putting the Chiefs on top, 4-0. Brown has now homered in three straight games.
The Chiefs then added to their lead in the sixth. With runners at first and third and one out, Michaels lined a single to center field, scoring Xavier Paul and knocking out Oliver. Left-hander Ryan Robowski then entered for his first Triple-A game of the year after a recent promotion from Double-A Erie. He immediately walked Seth Bynum and James Skelton, loading the bases for Brown. The center fielder added to his big day with a two-run single to center field, capping the scoring.
Meanwhile, Toledo (23-23) was held completely in check by two Syracuse pitchers. Atkins tossed six shutout innings of two-hit ball, walking two and striking out three, to earn his fourth win in eight starts. Atkins lowered his ERA to 3.07. Erik Arnesen then completed the final three innings without allowing a run to pick up his first save of the season.
Syracuse heads home after a scheduled day off to face Columbus on Thursday at 7:00. The Chiefs and Clippers will begin a four-game set with right-hander Chien-Ming Wang slated to throw for Syracuse in his fourth Triple-A rehab start.
