Photos by Aubrie Tolliver
SYRACUSE N.Y. -- The first and the worst teams in the International League North Division ended their three game series at NBT Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon in familiar fashion.
After winning the first two games by a run in the ten innings, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 3-2, this time scoring all their runs in the ninth inning.
It was the second largest crowd of the season and while the rain was on and off the 4,213 fans still enjoyed themselves at Bark in the Park Day where animal shelters brought dogs in with the hope of getting them adopted.
It was the second largest crowd of the season and while the rain was on and off the 4,213 fans still enjoyed themselves at Bark in the Park Day where animal shelters brought dogs in with the hope of getting them adopted.
Pitchers Duel
Lehigh Valley’s Ben Lively and Syracuse’s Kyle McGowin both pitched six innings and neither gave up a run.
The game was scoreless through seven and a half innings before the Chiefs got their bats going against Lehigh Valley's Michael Mariot.
In the bottom of the seventh with two out and no one on base, Brandon Snyder got on with a double to right field. Pedro Severino then singled to drive Snyder home.
Mariot pitched one inning and gave up one run.
The Comeback
The number one team in the North Division wasn’t going to go down without a fight, and for the second day in a row the IronPigs made a comeback.
The first batter in the bottom of the ninth, Nick Williams, hit a solo shot tying the game at one.
Syracuse reliever Joe Nathan then walked Cameron Perkins and Taylor Featherston hit a two-run home run to take the 3-1 lead over the Chiefs.
Despite giving up two home runs, Chiefs manager, Billy Gardner said he’s pleased with Nathan’s performance so far this season.
“We’ve been really happy with what he’s been doing," Gardner said. "Today’s one of those days that, that happens, and you go out there and you don’t make pitches and guys blow saves.”
A Second Comeback?
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Chiefs tried to stage a comeback of their own but fell short.
Caleb Ramsey singled and pinch hitter, Clint Robinson hit one to center field to send Ramsey to third base. Ramsey eventually scored off of Irving Falu’s line drive but that was the last run for the Chiefs and the IronPigs completed their three-game sweep as Adrian Sanchez struck out, stranding pinch runner Corban Joseph at third.
Gardner found a silver lining in the sweep.
“We battled, I thought we competed and that’s really all we can ask,” he said. “It’s frustrating a little bit because it kind of takes its toll on you as far as team morale but we were in position last night we were in position today to close it out, we just couldn’t get it done.”
Up Next
The Chiefs will hit the road for the next week playing at Charlotte and Gwinnett before returning home on May 30.
The IronPigs will head home to face Indianapolis and Louisville.
