The SyracuseChiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, blew an early 4-0lead in a 5-4, 10-inning loss to the Gwinnett Braves on Thursday night from Coolray Field. Third baseman Rusty Ryal lined a walkoff single against Christian Garcia in the bottom of the tenth,leading the Braves to the win in the first game of a four-game series.
Syracuse (63-70)took control early against 22-year-old Braves left-hander Sean Gilmartin, asthe Chiefs batted around and scored three runs in the first inning. With two outs and Jarrett Hoffpauir on firstbase, Chris Marrero walked to put two runners on. Third baseman Carlos Rivero then doubled toleft field after falling behind 0-2 in the count, scoring Hoffpauir for a 1-0Chiefs lead. After a Sandy Leon walk,shortstop Zach Walters doubled high off the left-field fence for a two-run double. Walters, who missed a grand slam by a fewfeet, gave the Chiefs a 3-0 advantage.
The Chiefsadded a second-inning run thanks to another double. With Hoffpauir at first base with two outs,Marrero lined a double up the gap at right-center field. That extended Syracuse's lead to four runs.
Left-handerZach Duke would shut out the Braves on no hits through four innings, butGwinnett (60-73) finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Jose Yepez, Rusty Ryal and Josh Wilson lacedthree straight singles to load the bases with no outs. After a Brian Friday fielder's-choice groundball scored a run, though, Duke beared down and retired pitcher Buddy Carlyleand left fielder Jose Constanza to end the inning without a second run.
But theBraves would get that second run and more in the seventh inning. With one out, Ryal singled and Wilson walkedto put two runners on base. After aFriday line out, pinch-hitter Terry Tiffee elevated an 0-2 pitch over EuryPerez's head in left field for a two-run double. That cut the Chiefs' lead to 4-3.
Duke wouldexit after seven innings, allowing five hits and three runs. He turned the game over to reliever ErikDavis in the eighth. Luis Durangosingled and was forced out at second base on a fielder's choice groundout byLyle Overbay, and after a Stefan Gartrell fly out, Davis was one out away fromescaping the inning. But Yepez singled toright field, putting two runners aboard, and Ryal followed with a game-tyingsingle to right field. On the play,however, Yepez was thrown out in between third base and home plate, due to arundown caused by Ryal advancing too far off of second.
Two inningslater, the Braves claimed the win. Withone out, Garcia walked Lyle Overbay before Stefan Gartell and Yepez followedwith singles, loading the bases for Ryal. The third baseman lined Garcia's first pitch into center field, scoringGartrell for the win. Ryal collectedsingles in each of his final four at-bats in the game.
Syracuse and Gwinnett will play the second game of a four-game series on Friday night at7:05. Chiefs right-hander Yunesky Mayais scheduled to throw against Braves right-hander Randall Delgado.
