The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, edged out the Buffalo Bisons, 2-0, in a series-opening win at Buffalo on Thursday night. Right-hander Yunesky Maya tossed seven and two-thirds shutout innings to earn his third straight win, and third baseman Carlos Rivero's seventh-inning solo home run provided the game's biggest offensive blow.
Maya and Bisons starter Garrett Olson dominated throughout the game's first six innings. The Chiefs had just two baserunners against Olson until the seventh - a Eury Perez single and Rivero walk. Meanwhile, Buffalo (54-58) put just three runners on against Maya, with two hits and a walk.
But Syracuse (54-58) finally broke through with two outs in the seventh inning, thanks to the red-hot Rivero. The third baseman launched a first pitch from Olson over the left-center field fence for a solo home run. The long ball, Rivero's eighth of the season and sixth of the second half, gave the Chiefs the game's first run and lead.
After a perfect bottom of the seventh, Maya retired the first two batters in the eighth inning before walking pinch-hitter Brad Emaus. Left-hander Atahualpa Severino then entered and walked pinch-hitter Valentino Pascucci. But with two runners on base, Severino struck out shortstop Josh Rodriguez looking on the tenth pitch of their at-bat, ending the threat.
The Chiefs then added an insurance run against reliever Robert Carson. Pinch-hitter Jarrett Hoffpauir led off the ninth inning with an infield single and moved to second base on Perez' sacrifice bunt. After a Jim Negrych walk and Corey Brown fly out, Carson worked the count to 2-2 on Rivero with runners at the corners. His next pitch then glanced off the glove of catcher Mike Nickeas and went to the backstop for a passed ball, scoring Hoffpauir for a 2-0 lead. Negrych was thrown out at home on the play, after moving to third on a throwing error by Nickeas, but the damage was done.
Right-hander Mike MacDougal induced three groundouts in a perfect ninth inning, closing out the Bisons to earn his first Syracuse save of the season.
Syracuse and Buffalo will play the second game of their four-game series on Friday night at 7:05. Chiefs right-hander Jeff Mandel and Bisons right-hander Jeurys Familia are the scheduled starters.
