Early Surge Lifts Chiefs Past Bulls
DURHAM, NC - The Syracuse Chiefs scored six runs over the contest's first three innings Tuesday night on their way to a 6-4 victory over the Durham Bulls at the DBAP.
The Chiefs and Bulls traded runs through the first two innings, as Trea Turner led the game off with a homer for the visitors, before Taylor Motter blasted a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the first for a 1-1 tie. In the second frame Pedro Severino lined an RBI double to put Syracuse (39-46) back on top by a run, but Eury Perez's RBI single in the bottom of the inning once again tied the contest.
In the third Syracuse pulled away behind four unearned runs, as a two-out error allowed Turner to score for a 3-2 lead. Matt den Dekker followed with a three run dinger to left, his second homer in as many games, to put the Chiefs in front 6-2. JP Arencibia's solo home run in the bottom of the inning cut the deficit to 6-3, but the Bulls (37-50) managed just one unearned run the rest of the way to drop their second straight game, and lose for the fifth time in their last six tries.
Reynaldo Lopez (1-0) earned the win by scattering three runs across five innings on six hits and two walks, while Rafael Martin earned his 15th save of the year with a scoreless ninth. Justin Marks (2-8) suffered the loss after allowing six runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 frames and striking out seven. Making his Triple-A debut, former first round draft pick Ryne Stanek struck out four batters in 2 1/3 shutout innings, featuring a fastball in the high 90s.
Jaff Decker paced the Bulls offensively with a 2-for-4 evening, tallying the team's only multi-hit game, while Dayron Varona went 1-for-3 with his 21st double of the season.
The Bulls and Chiefs close their three-game set Wednesday at the DBAP, when RHP Jake Faria (0-0, 0.00) takes the hill for Durham against RHP AJ Cole (6-4, 4.31) for Syracuse. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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