Three-run sixth helps Clippers get by Chiefs

Columbus, OH (June 12, 2015) - The Syracuse Chiefs fell to the Columbus Clippers, 4-2, Friday night at Huntington Park in Columbus. The Clippers scored three runs in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and lift them to a second straight win to start the series. Mark Minicozzi homered for the Chiefs in the loss.

Syracuse (19-43) grabbed the lead first for the fourth game in a row. Mario Lisson doubled to lead off the second inning against Toru Murata. Two batters later, Dan Butler reached on an infield single to put runners on the corners. Cutter Dykstra then singled in Lisson to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. It was Dykstra's second straight game with an RBI.

Columbus (33-29) immediately answered in the bottom of the frame. James Ramsey walked with one out, and Michael Martinez doubled Ramsey in with two outs to tie the score. Columbus' run in the bottom of the second was the seventh time a Syracuse opponent had scored in the bottom of an inning in which Syracuse scored out of 10 possible chances this road trip.

The Clippers' pivotal inning was the sixth. Columbus put together three straight hits against P.J. Walters; a double by Jesus Aguilar, single from Jerry Sands, and double from Lonnie Chisenhall to give the Clippers the lead. Syracuse turned to Rafael Martin out of the bullpen, who allowed a Jose Ramirez single to bring in the second run of the inning. After a strikeout and walk, Michael Martinez hit a ground ball to second, scoring Chisenhall from third. Dykstra fielded the grounder, and flipped to second for the force out. Burriss then threw home, getting Ramirez trying to score from second to end the inning at 4-1 Columbus.

Syracuse mounted a rally in the eighth against Giovanni Soto. Minicozzi hit his second home run of the year to start the inning, cutting the score to 4-2. Lisson then hit a soft grounder in front of the mound. Adam Moore fielded from behind home plate, but threw wide to first, allowing Lisson to reach second on the error. Darin Mastroianni pinch-hit and walked to put the tying run on first. Two batters later, Cutter Dykstra walked against Jeff Manship to load the bases. However, Emmanuel Burriss grounded out to first to end the threat.

Syracuse and Columbus play game three of this four-game set Saturday at 7:15 p.m. A.J. Cole is scheduled to start for the Chiefs opposite Michael Roth for the Clippers.