Chiefs clobber Tides to snap losing streak

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, snapped a five-game losing streak with a 9-1 win over the Norfolk Tides on Saturday night. Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf tossed seven and one-third strong innings to earn his third win of the season, as the Chiefs backed him offensively with 15 hits.

Norfolk (19-10) started the scoring for the third straight game in this series, plating a first-inning run on a Jason Pridie home run. The Tides' center fielder led off the bottom of the frame with a line drive that crept over the right-field fence, giving Norfolk a 1-0 lead.

Syracuse (10-18), however, had an answer for the first time in the series. In the second inning, shortstop Zach Walters reached second base on a single to left field and error by L.J. Hoes. Two pitches later, third baseman Carlos Rivero slammed a double to center field against Tides left-hander Zach Britton, scoring Walters and tying the game.

The Chiefs then took the lead in the third inning with a pair of runs - despite only one ball leaving the infield. Eury Perez started the frame with an infield single to third base, before Jeff Kobernus reached on a bunt single back to Britton. After a Will Rhymes sacrifice bunt and Chris Marrero strikeout, designated hitter Micah Owings dribbled a ground ball to third base. But Tides third baseman Danny Valencia bobbled the ball, allowing Perez to score for a 2-1 Syracuse lead. Walters followed with a single smashed to right field, driving in Kobernus and extending the lead to two runs.

In the fifth inning, Syracuse added a fourth run with a two-out rally. After Marrero singled to left field, Owings slammed a ball over the head of Pridie in center field, scoring Marrero all the way from first base.

The Chiefs would add a seventh-inning run on a Marrero RBI single before igniting the game in the eighth. Syracuse plated four runs in the frame against Tides reliever Chris Jones thanks to three hits, one walk and three Norfolk errors. Kobernus drove in two runs with a single and Rhymes also picked up an RBI in the frame.

All that run support was far more than necessary for Ohlendorf, who tossed a gem in his sixth start of the season. The former major-leaguer allowed just three hits and one run over his seven and one-third frames, walking just one and striking out three. Ohlendorf lowered his ERA 88 points in the process to 4.58.

The Chiefs will seek a series split against the Tides on Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Syracuse right-hander Chris Young will oppose Norfolk right-hander Josh Stinson.