Chiefs fall short in one-run loss to Tides

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate for the Washington Nationals, were edged out by the Norfolk Tides, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon. Yunesky Maya and two relievers pitched a shutout over the final six innings, but couldn't overcome three early runs.

The scoring started quickly. After a single and a walk to lead off the game, Maya gave up a single to Russ Canzler that scored a run. A few batters later, Travis Ishikawa's sacrifice fly to left allowed Yamaico Navarro to score from third base. Norfolk (24-12) ended the inning with a 2-0 lead.

Following a couple of quick innings, the Tides went back to work in the third. Navarro doubled to lead off the frame and moved to third on a single by Canzler. Danny Valencia came to the plate and grounded a 1-2 pitch into a double play that scored Navarro from third and put Norfolk up 3-0.

In the bottom of the frame, however, Syracuse (14-21) came roaring back. Erik Komatsu grounded a one-out single into center field. Following a strikeout, Jeff Kobernus executed a hit-and-run with a single that sent Komatsu to third. Will Rhymes and Chris Marrero then tallied back-to-back two-out RBI singles and the Chiefs cut the deficit to 3-2.

Syracuse's best offensive chance after that inning came in the seventh frame, when Kris Watts doubled and Chris Rahl singled him to third base with one out. But Watts was thrown out at the plate on a Jeff Kobernus ground ball and Rhymes flew out to right field to end the threat. Manny Delcarmen and Jairo Asencio shut the Chiefs out for the final two-and-two thirds innings to hold on for the win.

The Chiefs and Tides are back in action for a Sunday matinee at 2:00. Right-hander Jake Arrieta is set to go for Norfolk against fellow right-hander Ryan Perry for Syracuse.