Early Lead Helps Syracuse Chiefs Complete Sweep against Columbus Clippers

Story by Thomas Zhou
Photos by Jiayang Zhang

Syracuse, N.Y-  A six-run second inning powered the Syracuse Chiefs (10-14) past the Columbus Clippers (11-13) on Sunday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse swept Columbus in the three-game weekend series.

“We came out ready to play,” Chiefs manager Billy Gardner said. “We put up a big number obviously in the second, took some pressure off the pitching, and made some things happen.”

By the time the Chiefs' starting pitcher Taylor Hill allowed the first hit in the top of the fourth, Syracuse already had a 6-0 lead over Columbus.

Leading off the second inning, Ian Stewart lined a single to right field. Jason Martinson followed with a single to left as Stewart stopped at second. Kila Ka’aihue advanced the runners with a groundout to Clippers first baseman Jesus Aguilar before Matt den Dekker ripped a two-run double to put the Chiefs ahead by two.

 

Later, Emmanuel Burriss’ single scored Dan Butler, extending the lead to three. Tony Gwynn, Jr. sent Nick Maronde’s pitch to center field for a base hit. James Ramsey grabbed the ball and tried to cut down Johnson, who was trying to score from second. He misfired and Burriss saw a chance to take third. Catcher Adam Moore’s throw was too high, allowing both Burriss and Gwynn to score. To Gwynn, it was a single turned into a home run.

“It’s kind like a domino effect,” Gwynn said. “One guy has a good bat. Next guy has a good bat. The next thing you know, you score some runs and put some other pressure on the other team. We have been able to do it in the last three games.”

Ramsey hit a home run in the top of fourth to put the Clippers on the board. The ball sailed over the right-field fence. Syracuse answered right away in the bottom of that inning as Burriss’ single scored Butler from second.

Chiefs starting pitcher Taylor Hill retired after six and one-third innings, during which he allowed six hits and two runs while striking out five.

In the top of the seventh, the Clippers' Giovanny Urshela hit a groundball single to center field. Moore smacked a double beyond rightfielder den Dekker’s reach. Carlos Moncrief’s sacrifice fly scored Urshela, cutting Syracuse’s lead to five at 7-2

As a crowd of 2,733 started to chant in the ninth inning, the Clippers made a final rally attempt. Syracuse pitcher Sam Runion walked former Chief Zach Walters, before Urshela singled. Moore sent Runion’s pitch deep to left field. Martinson jumped to attempt the catch but failed as Walters scored. But that was all the Clippers would get.

Evan Meek replaced Runion after one out and got the final two outs to accomplish the save.

“I am happy with the three games,” Gwynn said. “It’s been a slow start, but these last three games we started to pick up a little bit. Just try to add positive momentum.”

Syracuse will host Norfolk for another three-game series next. The first game starts at 7:05 p.m. on Monday.