Chiefs win second straight at Lehigh Valley

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, won their second straight game with a 2-0 shutout victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Lefthander Tom Milone, Washington's 2010 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, was as good as advertised in his first ever Triple-A start. Milone threw seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits while walking no batters and striking out four. The southpaw was both effective and efficient, throwing just 89 pitches, 60 for strikes, in his seven innings.

Syracuse (3-1) scored in the third and sixth innings for the 2-0 advantage. Shortstop Chris McConnell led off the third with a double to right-center field. After advancing on a sacrifice bunt by Milone, McConnell came home on a passed ball allowed by catcher Erik Kratz.

Corey Brown accounted for all the scoring on the first pitch of the sixth inning. Brown laced a triple to right field off Lehigh Valley (1-2) starter Eddie Bonine and advanced home on a throw into the dugout from second baseman Josh Barfield. The triple was Syracuse's first of the season and Brown's first extra-base hit in a Chief uniform.

Milone's exceptional performance saved the Chiefs bullpen from another taxing night, but a fourth straight game of stellar relief pitching ensued. Josh Wilkie struck out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning and Cole Kimball closed out the IronPigs in a scoreless ninth for his second Triple-A save.

The Chiefs and IronPigs play the third of four games on Monday night at Coca-Cola Park. Righthander Craig Stammen makes his season debut for Syracuse against IronPigs righthander Brian Bass. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.