The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, improved to 22-24 with two wins on Saturday night against the Charlotte Knights. Syracuse completed Friday’s suspended game with two ninth inning runs for an 8-7 walkoff win, and won 8-3 in the regularly scheduled game. Tug Hulett’s game-tying home run and Chris Marrero’s game winning single gave the Chiefs the first win. In the second game, Syracuse scored five first inning runs off Knights starter Matt Zaleski and never trailed.
Friday’s game was suspended in a 2-2 tie in the eighth. When play resumed, Jeff Mandel continued his stint from the previous night. Jordan Danks singled in a run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to give Charlotte (21-26) the lead, but Syracuse answered almost immediately. Hulett launched the first pitch he saw from Anthony Carter to right field for his first home run of the season. Jesus Valdez followed with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Michael Aubrey was intentionally walked. Marrero then lined a 2-1 fastball to right field, easily scoring Valdez from second base.
The Chiefs picked up where they left off in the second game. Syracuse plated five first inning runs on four hits, with Aubrey doubling in a run and Hulett singling in two. Jhonatan Solano’s groundout and Matt Antonelli’s single each added a run as the Chiefs led 5-0 after one. Charlotte clawed back with runs in each of the second, third, and fourth innings, but Chris McConnell doubled in a run and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth to extend the Syracuse lead to four. Marrero’s RBI double in the eighth would provide the final score.
Craig Stammen earned his fourth win in his last four starts for the Chiefs with seven innings of three-run ball. Stammen was backed up by nine Chief hits, including three from designated hitter Aubrey. Four other Syracuse players reached base safely twice in the game.
The Chiefs and Knights wrap up their four-game series at 6:30 on Sunday night. Syracuse looks for its second four-game sweep in its last three series.
