Chiefs fall in Toledo despite Soto's big day

Toledo, OH (August 9, 2017) - The Syracuse Chiefs dropped the final game of the series to the Toledo Mud Hens, 7-3, Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field. Neftali Soto went five-for-five on the day with a double and two RBIs. The two teams combined for 27 hits in the game.

Toledo (55-61) scored first in the bottom of the second inning. JaCoby Jones and Jason Krizan singled back-to-back off Jacob Turner, putting runners on first and third. Bryan Holiday followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Jones for a 1-0 lead.
Syracuse (45-72) took the lead with two runs in the top of the third. Two former Mud Hens each picked up hits, with Chad Huffman singling and Michael Almanzar doubling to start the inning off Anthony Vasquez. After a groundout, Irving Falu singled home Huffman to tie the game. Soto followed with a single to right center to plate Almanzar and give the Chiefs a 2-1 edge.
But the Mud Hens answered right back in the bottom of the third. Jeimer Candelario singled and Tyler Collins walked with one out. After a strikeout, Krizan lined a two-run double down the right-field line to plate both runners and give Toledo the lead back at 3-2.
In the fourth, Major-League rehabber Alex Presley singled with one out. Omar Infante followed with a double into the left-field corner, and Presley scored from first to extend the lead to 4-2.
The Mud Hens added two more runs in the sixth, Efren Navarro singled with two outs against Neil Ramírez, and scored on Jeimer Candelario's RBI triple to right-center, giving Toledo a 5-2 advantage. Collins then reached on a chopper over the mound, scoring Candelario on the infield single for a 6-2 lead. 
Candelario continued his big day with a solo home run off Kevin Jepsen to lead off the eighth inning for a 7-2 advantage.
In the ninth, Soto continued his huge day with a second RBI. After Zach Collier walked with one out, Soto singled off Zach Reininger with two outs to bring the Chiefs within four. But Syracuse would get no closer. 
Syracuse will continue its road trip Thursday night in Indianapolis, opening up a four-game series against the first-place Indians. Phillips Valdez is scheduled to start for the Chiefs opposite Nick Kingham for the Indians. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Victory Field.