Chiefs Railroad Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Home Opener

Ian Stewart (foreground) and Emmanuel Burriss

By Cody Love

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Syracuse Chiefs started 2015 at home looking just as dominant as they did in their International League North-winning campaign last year.

The Chiefs cruised to a 10-2 victory in their home opener against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at NBT Bank Stadium Thutrsday afternoon.

Syracuse benefited from a gem by starter Taylor Hill on the mound.  In six and two-thirds innings, Hill allowed two earned runs, which came across after he departed.

Hill kept the RailRiders from causing damage by inducing a lot of ground balls.

His infield provided solid backup, with second baseman Josh Johnson starring on defense.  He picked up nine assists.

"JJ made unbelievable plays at second base all day," Hill said.

Hill recorded only  two strikeouts, but one was crucial in keeping Scranton/Wilkes-Barre from climbing back into the game.

With one out in the fourth inning and men on second and third, Hill struck Kyle Roller out looking.  Another ground ball ended the inning with both men stranded.

"He looked really good today," Chiefs manager Billy Gardner said, "his situational pitching was very good in that fourth and fifth inning."

The Chiefs' offense got to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Eric Wooten early, and tired him out quickly by getting a lot of men on base and working deep counts.

By the time Wooten left the game after the fourth inning, four runs had crossed the plate.

"One through nine (everyone) put together good runs for us," designated hitter Mark Minicozzi said. "It's a lot easier to play when you've got everyone producing."

Two of the top offensive producers were the men ahead of cleanup hitter Minicozzi in the lineup, Emmanuel Burriss and Ian Stewart.

Burriss had three hits and five total bases, including a triple in the seventh.  His perfectly placed bunt down the third base line led off the third.  He was one of three runners to score that inning.

Stewart hit a home run to lead off the sixth, and very nearly had another in the seventh.

His homer was to deep right-center field and passed just above the glove of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre right fielder Slade Heathcott.

In his next at bat, he hit a ball more towards right field.  This time, Heathcott caught it above the fence, but a run did score from third on the sacrifice fly.

The win brings Syracuse's record even at 4-4.  The RailRiders dropped their fourth game in a row and fell to 2-6.

This four-game weekend series continues Friday night at 6:05 at NBT Bank Stadium.

Home Opener Notes

Thursday's opener drew 8,869 fans to NBT Bank Stadium.  In 77 Opening Days in Chiefs history, this ranks as the ninth largest crowd.

The 10-2 win was Syracuse's largest margin of victory in a home opener since its 16-4 victory over the now defunct Ottawa A's.  Interestingly enough, through many relocations and affiliation changes, that franchise now exists as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders