Dominant Fourth Inning Sets Up Ninth-Straight Win

By Kerry Bretti 

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Chiefs won their ninth straight game Wednesday night with a 9-5 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Despite having the best record in triple-A baseball last season, the nine-game winning streak is their longest since 2012. This season’s win-streak comes after the All-Star break that the Chiefs entered with the worst record in the league.

The Chiefs used a fourth inning surge to get separation from the IronPigs. The Chiefs came up in the inning tied 2-2 when Dan Butler hit a two-run double them up 4-2. Emmanuel Burriss then drove in Butler to make it 5-2.  Jason Martinson hit another double, driving in Burriss and Trea Turner to close out the scoring for the inning at 7-2.

Burris finished the night with two hits, one run, and two RBIs. He has experience with numerous different minor league teams before Syracuse, including the Fresno Grizzlies and the Cincinnati Reds. He has also spent some time in the majors playing for the San Francisco Giants and has been up with the Washington Nationals this season. With all of his experience, he is a key player in making sure the Chiefs stay focused on winning, despite their record and being out of the playoff picture.

“Whenever we start winning ball games and playing together as a team our confidence goes that much higher,” Burriss said after the ninth straight win. “That also has to go back to the first question of getting our business done. Everybody is coming in with the right attitude every day trying to make sure that we put in the right work.”

The IronPigs were the first on the scoreboard with an RBI from Chase d’Arnaud in the top of the third inning. The Chiefs responded when pitcher Paolo Espino laid down a sacrifice bunt to allow Caleb Ramsey to score from third and Dan Butler, who ha singled, to advance to second.. Burriss drove in Butler to make it 2-1, Chiefs

Lehigh Valley scored once in the top of the fourth to tie the game at two each before Syracuse took that big lead in the bottom of the inning.

In the top of the fifth, the IronPigs Brian Bogusevic hit a home-run with two on base, bringing the score to 7-5.

The comeback attempt wouldn’t last as Kevin Keyes and Matt Skole both hit single RBIs to put the score where it ended at 9-5.

Syracuse’s overall record after the win is 52-67. The Chiefs will finish their three-game series with Lehigh Valley on Thursday.