De Aza, Chiefs beat Bats in extras

Louisville, KY (April 22, 2018) - The Syracuse Chiefs came back from a two-run deficit and beat the Louisville Bats, 3-2, in ten innings on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. Alejandro De Aza had two hits, including a two-run single in the seventh inning that tied the game, eventually forcing extra innings.

With the game tied, 2-2, after nine innings, the Chiefs and Bats went to extras. Syracuse (10-5) scored the eventual game-winning run in the top of the tenth inning. Because of new extra inning rules implemented this year, the Chiefs started the inning with José Marmolejos at second base. Marmolejos moved to third base when Spencer Kieboom flied out deep to center field. Michael Almanzar followed with a single up the middle into center field, scoring Marmolejos to give Syracuse a 3-2 lead.
Louisville (5-8) started the bottom of the tenth inning with Nick Senzel at second base. Rosell Herrera laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced Senzel to third. D.J. Peterson then grounded a ball to third base. Almanzar fielded the ball and threw Senzel out at home plate for the second out of the inning. Mason Williams struck out swinging to end the game.
The Bats started the scoring in the bottom of the second against César Vargas. Louisville loaded the bases after Peterson singled, Williams doubled and Steve Selsky walked. After Vargas retired the next two batters, he walked José López to force in a run and give the Bats a 1-0 lead. 
Louisville added another run in the sixth. Peterson singled with two outs and Williams followed with a triple to right field to push the lead to 2-0.
Syracuse was held scoreless for the first six innings but broke through in the seventh. Bengie González worked a walk, Tuffy Gosewisch struck out, Hunter Jones walked, and Rafael Bautista singled to load the bases with one out. After Adrían Sanchez struck out, De Aza came to the plate. The 34-year old hit a ball up the middle, bringing home both Gonzalez and Jones to tie the game, 2-2.
Chiefs pitchers were once again stellar when the Bats had runners in scoring position Vargas, David Goforth, and Christopher Smith combined to hold Louisville to 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Chiefs pitching staff leads the league with opponents batting just .140 with runners in scoring position this season.
Syracuse heads north on I-65 this evening and opens a three-game series with the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field starting Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Austin Voth is scheduled to start for Syracuse opposite RHP Tyler Eppler for Indianapolis.