BUFFALO -- The Syracuse Chiefs were stunned by two late Buffalo runs in Thursday afternoon in a 3-2 loss to the Bisons.
Syracuse took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning, but Buffalo tied the game with a Jordany Valdespin single. Zach Lutz then launched a walkoff double in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring Valentino Pascucci from first base.
Syracuse (52-65) and Buffalo (49-69) played situational baseball early, with three run-scoring plays that were not hits. The Chiefs struck first in the top of the first inning. Steve Lombardozzi doubled to lead off the game, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a Jesus Valdez sacrifice fly. The sac fly was Valdez’ team-high eighth of the season.
In the bottom of the first, Buffalo scored an unearned run against Syracuse starter Brad Meyers. Jesus Feliciano and Josh Satin singled on back-to-back at-bats with one out, with the runners advancing on a fielding error by Corey Brown. Pascucci then knocked in a run with a groundout to second base.
Syracuse broke the 1-1 tie in the third inning. Lombardozzi reached once again with a leadoff single, and Seth Bynum doubled him to third. Chris Marrero then scored Lombardozzi with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Meyers excelled after the two singles in the first inning. He retired thirteen straight hitters, tossing five shutout innings in total. Garrett Mock relieved Meyers and retired six straight in the sixth and seventh innings.
But Buffalo got to Mock and the Chiefs’ bullpen in the eighth inning. Fernando Perez drew a leadoff walk on a 3-2 pitch and advanced to second on a Raul Chavez sacrifice bunt. Atahualpa Severino then relieved Mock and struck out pinch-hitter Luis Figueroa on three pitches. But Valdespin singled to center field, scoring Perez to tie the game at two.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Josh Wilkie entered in relief for the Chiefs. After a strikeout of Satin, Pascucci singled to center field. Lutz then stepped up and lined a double over the head of center fielder Roger Bernadina, with Pascucci racing home well before a throw to the plate.
Syracuse returns home on Friday night to begin a four-game series with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at 7:00. Two prized pitching prospects will duel, with right-hander Brad Peacock starting for the Chiefs and left-hander Manny Banuelos pitching for the Yankees.
Courtesy: Syracuse Chiefs
