Espino Survives, Chiefs Win Ninth Straight, 9-5

By Jacqui Kane

Syracuse, N.Y.- After a rocky start by Syracuse Chief’s pitcher Paolo Espino, his team's offense pulled out a 9-5 win over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs at NBT Bank Stadium Wednesday night.

       It was the Chiefs' ninth win in a row and Espino evened his record at 5-5.

 
After two shutout innings, Logan Moore scored for the Iron Pigs in the top of the third inning. The Chiefs responded in the bottom of the third by scoring two runs to go ahead.

After the IronPigs tied it in the top of the fourth, the Chiefs unleashed a five-run barrage, giving them a 7-2 lead they would not surrender although Espino gave up three more runs before retiring the side in the fifth as Lehigh Valley closed it to 7-5.

PJ Walters came in in the sixth and pitched three scoreless innings before Matt Grace closed it out for the Chiefs in the ninth.

After the game Espino said the big a margin the offense gave him made a difference because he is not a power pitcher.

“ It definitely helps when I have a big lead you can go more after the hitters you don’t have to be that careful because you have so many runs," Espino said.  Mechanics don’t change but mentally you are like 'I have a lead, so I can go after the guys more.'”

 

Espino said he plans to stick to his routine and to continue to stay focus, and to pitch the way he knows how to best.