Chiefs return to extras, fall to Knights
The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, lost to the Charlotte Knights, 7-6, in 11 innings on Tuesday evening. First baseman Jim Gallagher's walkoff single sent Syracuse to a loss in its 17th extra-inning game of the season and third consecutive game in extras.
In the bottom of the 11th, Chiefs right-hander Jeremy Accardo loaded the bases with three walks - one intentional - before facing Gallagher. The first baseman who had entered in the previous inning as a pinch-runner grounded Accardo's first pitch into left field, scoring Angel Sanchez for the game-winning run.
Eury Perez jumped on the game's fourth pitch to give Syracuse (28-41) an immediate lead. The Chiefs' center fielder drilled a 1-2 offering from Charlie Leesman over the left-field wall for a solo home run and a 1-0 Syracuse lead. Perez has now clubbed five home runs on the year - two more than in any previous season in his career.
Charlotte (30-42) claimed the first of several lead changes with a two-run third inning. Shortstop Steve Tolleson scored the Knights' first run from third base on a Danny Rosenbaum wild pitch, and center fielder Blake Tekotte doubled in Sanchez in the same at-bat to give Charlotte a 2-1 lead.
Chiefs first baseman Tyler Moore tied the score in the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field. Moore, who hit 19 home runs between Syracuse and Washington last season, clubbed his second homer of the year in seven Chiefs games.
In the bottom of the fourth, Charlotte added an unearned run. With runners on first and third base and two outs, Tyler Greene took off from first on a stolen-base attempt. Catcher Brian Jeroloman's throw sailed into center field for an error, with Knights catcher Josh Phegley scoring from third base on the play.
The Chiefs reclaimed the lead in their next turn at bat with a pair of fifth-inning runs. Chris Rahl doubled and Perez reached on a bunt single to start the frame, bringing up Danny Espinosa. The second baseman hit a sacrifice fly to right field that was dropped by Greene, adding an error on the play and moving Perez to third base. Third baseman Will Rhymes followed with the inning's second sacrifice fly for a 4-3 Syracuse advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Knights plated a pair of runs against Rosenbaum. Tolleson walked and Sanchez singled to start the inning before a Brandon Short sacrifice bunt advanced the runners. Tekotte followed with a ground-ball single to center field, with Tolleson scoring on the hit and Sanchez coming home on a fielding error by Perez, giving the Knights a 5-4 lead.
Syracuse had one final long ball in its attack thanks to Zach Walters. With Moore on first base and one out in the eighth inning, the shortstop struck for a first-pitch, two-run home run off of Knights right-hander Dan Remenowsky. Walters' team-leading 15th homer put the Chiefs in front by a 6-5 score.
But Charlotte had an answer in the bottom of the frame. Third baseman Brent Morel launched a solo home run off of Syracuse reliever Mark Lowe to start the frame and knot the score at six runs apiece. The Knights would load the bases with one out against Lowe and left-hander Xavier Cedeno, but right-hander Tanner Roark entered to record the final out of the inning and preserve the tie that would last until the 11th.
Syracuse and Charlotte will resume their series tomorrow afternoon with an afternoon game scheduled for 12:15.