Winning Streak Continues for Syracuse Chiefs

By Lena Pringle

Syracuse, N.Y.- The streak continues as the Syracuse Chiefs won their ninth straight game with a 9-5 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Wednesday night at NBT Bank Stadium.

The IronPigs started the scoring off in the top of the third. The Chiefs then scored twice in the bottom half of the inning. It was Emmanuel Burriss who gave the Chiefs their first lead in the game by getting an RBI single. After scoring five more runs in the bottom of the fifth they never relinquished the lead.

They have a nine-game winning streak this year which is a feat they failed to accomplish despite having the best record in the International League last year. Chiefs Manager Billy Gardner Junior says the team has good energy and is working hard.

"These guys continue to grind it out," Gardner said. "They don't give up and I think the clubhouse environment is really good right now. They get along well. I think we're pitching good. That's the key right now."

Burris played a key role in the game by going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a double. He says the attitude of the team is different because of the nine-game winning streak.

"Whenever you start winning ball games and you're playing together as a team our confidence goes that much higher," Burriss said. "Everybody is coming in with the right attitude every day trying to make sure that we put in the right work and it's been paying off."

The Chiefs and IronPigs play the last game of a three-game set Thursday at NBT Bank Stadium. The game is set to start at 7:05 p.m.

Little Leaguers in the Stands

The Fayetteville-Manlius All-Stars were among the Chiefs fans, screaming and cheering for some of their favorite Chiefs including, Matt Den Decker and Emmanuel Burriss.  FMA won the district eight championship for Fayetteville-Manlius. Nathan Smith, a pitcher for this team, caught his first ever game ball at the game Wednesday..