Chiefs Win Ninth Straight Fueled by Huge Fourth Inning

By Alex Busch

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Chiefs claimed their ninth-straight win for the first time since 2012 on Wednesday night at NBT Bank Stadium, but the team’s reaction would have one thinking it was just any ordinary win.

Fueled by a five-run outburst in the fourth inning, Syracuse (52-67) defeated Lehigh Valley 9-5 in the second of a three-game homestand against the IronPigs (53-65).

For a team that saw immense first-half struggles this season, the Chiefs now have ten wins in in August, and it’s only 12 days into the month.

Chiefs catcher Dan Butler said there’s no different approach to the game now that the team has found success, but the players do have to focus on each game like it’s their last.

“We try not to ride that rollercoaster, that’s what gets you in trouble during the season,” Butler said. “Nothing really changes in the clubhouse, we’re just playing well and starting to put things together.”

But Butler — who finished with two runs and two RBIs — said they really got the bats going once they hit the top of the batting order for the second time, in the third inning. The Chiefs scored twice in the third before plating the five runs in the fourth.

“Getting multiple runs there kind of settled the game there for us,” Butler said. “It put us into control.”

Second baseman Emmanuel Burriss — who led the team with two hits Wednesday — finished with one run and two RBIs. He said it will take more than just showing up to keep the current streak alive.

“Putting in the effort every day, every at-bat, every pitch,” Burriss said. “Give 100 percent, that’s all we can ask.”