Syracuse Mets Recap: Santucci Strikes Out Seven in Loss to Lehigh Valley Tuesday

Box Score

Allentown, PA – The Syracuse Mets battled back after an early deficit but could not complete the comeback, falling 2-1 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park.

Lehigh Valley jumped in front in the bottom of the first. After Rafael Marchán drew a one-out walk, Otto Kemp reached on a forceout and advanced to third on a throwing error. Keaton Anthony followed with a two-run home run to left field, giving the IronPigs a 2-0 lead.

Syracuse answered in the fourth. Ronny Mauricio launched his 16th home run of the season to center field, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Mets had opportunities to tie the game throughout the middle innings but could not push across another run. In the sixth, Émilien Pitre singled before Vientos struck out and Pitre was caught stealing second to end the inning.

Syracuse mounted its biggest threat in the eighth. Zack Short led off with a double and Nick Morabito followed with a walk. Pitre was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Pinch-hitter Billy Amick struck out to end the threat.

The Mets were retired in order in the ninth to finish the game.

Jonathan Santucci started for Syracuse and allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out seven. Matt Seelinger followed with a scoreless sixth, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one. Dan Hammer tossed a perfect seventh, and Brian Metoyer worked a scoreless eighth.

Mauricio supplied Syracuse's only run with his 16th home run of the season. Zack Short recorded his sixth multi-hit game of the season, while Pitre added a single, a walk and was hit by a pitch. Nick Morabito also reached twice with a single and a walk.

Mark Vientos appeared on major league rehab with Syracuse. It was his third total game and first with the Mets in this stint. Vientos went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning.

The Mets continue their series against the IronPigs on Wednesday at Coca-Cola Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.