• Audio: Mottola collects RBI No. 1,000
• Sunday's box score • Chad Mottola's player page • Take in a game in Syracuse Chad Mottola drove in the 1,000th run of his Minor League career as Syracuse defeated visiting Toledo, 6-4, on Sunday. Mottola, a 35-year-old left fielder who began his pro career in 1992, reached the millennium mark with an RBI single during a five-run first inning that carried the Chiefs (32-36) to victory. "This isn't something I had in mind when I started out, but while I'm here I might as well enjoy it," said Mottola, who has had brief Major League stints with Toronto, Florida and Baltimore. "My goal right now is to get back to the big leagues and be ready when they need me," he added. Mottola is only the second active Minor League player to have reached the 1,000-RBI mark. Ernie Young of Charlotte in the International League has 1,121. Ryan Roberts smacked his fourth homer, a solo shot, Jeff Duncan contributed a sacrifice fly and Erik Kratz ripped a two-run double during the first-inning outburst. Josh Banks (6-4) allowed two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking one over six innings to pick up the win. Blaine Neal tossed two hitless shutout frames for his seventh save. Mike Hessman and Jack Hannahan smacked back-to-back solo homers in the second for the Mud Hens (39-31). Hessman has 19, tops in the International League. Hannahan's was his fifth. Toledo starter Dennis Tankersley (6-5) surrendered five runs on six hits, fanning one without issuing a walk in 1 1/3 frames to take the loss. Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
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