Chiefs Offense Catches Fire in Sweep of Red Wings

Rochester, NY (April 11, 2018) - The Syracuse Chiefs erupted for a season-high 14 hits en route to a 7-1 victory over the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday afternoon at Frontier Field. Every Chiefs player reached base and four batters collected multiple hits in the game. The win completes a three-game sweep of the Red Wings and gives the Chiefs their first series sweep in Rochester since April 2012.

Syracuse (4-2) got off to a scorching start on offense in the top of the first inning against Rochester starting pitcher Dietrich Enns. Andrew Stevenson doubled and Adrían Sanchez singled to put runners on the corners. José Marmolejos followed with a single, scoring Stevenson from third base for a 1-0 Chiefs lead. After a Chris Dominguez single loaded the bases, Alejandro De Aza knocked a base hit through the hole at second base to bring home Sanchez and push the Syracuse advantage to 2-0. That single capped off five straight hits to begin the game for the Chiefs.

Rochester (0-3) responded with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Jake Cave homered over the left-field wall to cut the Syracuse lead to 2-1.

That was the only blemish in another strong outing from Austin Voth. The right-hander posted nine strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings pitched while allowing just three hits, one walk, and one run.

The Syracuse bullpen was equally strong. Tim Collins and Christopher Smith combined to allow just one hit in three and one-third scoreless innings on the mound. The Chiefs pitching staff combined to post a 1.00 ERA in the three-game sweep. 

The Chiefs added to their lead with one run in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings. In the third, De Aza scored from first base on an Irving Falu double to put Syracuse in front, 3-1. A Dominguez double in the fourth scored Marmolejos from first to make it 4-1. Then, Bengie Gonzales hit a sacrifice fly to center field in the fifth inning, scoring Spencer Kieboom from third base to push the Chiefs' lead to 5-1.

Syracuse added the exclamation point of the game and the road trip in the seventh inning. With two outs and a runner on second base, Gonzalez crushed a ball over the wall in left field to extend the Chiefs' edge to 7-1. The home run was the first for Gonzalez since July 26, 2016.

The Chiefs now return to Syracuse to begin their first homestand of the season. Syracuse starts a four-game series against the Norfolk Tides on Thursday at 5:35 p.m. LHP Tommy Milone is scheduled to start for the Chiefs on Opening Day at NBT Bank Stadium while RHP Asher Wojciechowski will be on the mound for the Tides.