The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, had a three-game winning streak snapped in a 6-0 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday night. The Chiefs collected just three total hits, while the IronPigs scored three runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.
Syracuse (58-62) had its best chance to score in the first inning against Lehigh Valley starter Jonathan Pettibone. The Chiefs loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a Corey Brown double and walks by Carlos Rivero and Mark Teahen. But Pettibone beared down and induced a groundout back to the mound from shortstop Zach Walters, ending the inning.
Lehigh Valley (65-56) then struck for three unearned runs against Chiefs starter Tanner Roark in the fourth. Cesar Hernandez singled to begin the inning before Pete Orr hit a ground ball to Teahen at first base. But Teahen's throw to second base was dropped by Walters for an error. After a Jason Pridie single, the bases were loaded with nobody out. Two batters later, Steve Susdorf grounded a ball toward the middle. Second baseman Jim Negrych made a diving stop but couldn't cleanly hold the ball, and the infield single scored Hernandez to give Lehigh Valley a 1-0 lead. Sebastian Valle followed with a sacrifice fly before Andres Blanco singled home a third run, giving the IronPigs a 3-0 lead at inning's end.
The IronPigs put the game away with another three-run spot in the sixth inning. Cody Overbeck singled with one out and Susdorf doubled him to third base before Valle stepped in against Roark. The Lehigh Valley catcher then lofted a 3-2 pitch over the left-field wall for a three-run home run, extending the IronPigs' lead to 6-0.
Syracuse would not score from there against Pettibone, who tossed seven innings of two-hit ball, and relievers Joe Savery and Tyson Brummett.
Syracuse and Lehigh Valley will conclude a two-game series on Saturday night at 6:35. Chiefs left-hander Zach Duke is scheduled to throw against IronPigs southpaw Tom Cochran.
