Rochester, NY (June 21, 2018) - The Syracuse Salt Potatoes scored a run in the ninth inning to force extra innings, but the Rochester Plates won the first Duel of the Dishes, 2-1, in ten innings on Thursday night at Frontier Field, and were awarded the Golden Fork Trophy.
Rochester, NY (June 21, 2018) - The Syracuse Salt Potatoes scored a run in the ninth inning to force extra innings, but the Rochester Plates won the first Duel of the Dishes, 2-1, in ten innings on Thursday night at Frontier Field, and were awarded the Golden Fork Trophy.
Syracuse (29-41) trailed, 1-0, entering the top of the ninth inning. Jacob Wilson worked a walk to lead off the frame. Bengie González came in to pinch run for Wilson at first base. Matt Reynolds then singled to put runners on first and second base. Yadiel Hernandez followed with a ground ball to second base that resulted in a fielder's choice where Gonzalez moved to third, Reynolds was out at second, but Hernandez was safe at first. Irving Falu then also grounded into a fielder's choice in which Hernandez was out at second, but Falu was safe at first, and Gonzalez scored to tie the game, 1-1.
Rochester (34-35) won the game in the bottom of the tenth. Leonardo Reginatto began the frame at second base under the new extra-inning rules and moved to third base on a Gregorio Petit sacrifice bunt. Zack Granite followed with a single up the middle that scored Reginatto to win the game for Rochester, 2-1.
The Plates scored the game's first in the seventh. Jake Cave led off with a single. After Chris Carter flied out to left field, LaMonte Wade Jr walked and Williams Astuidillo singled to load the bases. Kennys Vargas then grounded a ball to second base where Adrían Sanchez fielded the ball for Syracuse, attempted to tag out Astudillo who was moving towards second base, and then Sanchez threw the ball to first to get Vargas out. Originally, Astudillo was called out in addition to Vargas for a double play that would have ended the inning. However, the umpires converged and determined that Sanchez did not tag Astudillo, so the Salt Potatoes only got one out on the play, and Cave had scored, giving the Plates a 1-0 lead.
Syracuse starting pitcher Austin Voth was stellar on the mound. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one run in six and one-third innings pitched with six strikeouts and only one walk.
The Salt Potatoes had multiple opportunities to score throughout the game but left nine runners on base and went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. One of Syracuse's early opportunities to take a lead came in the top of the fifth inning. With Irving Falu at second base, Jaff Decker at first, and two outs, Andrew Stevenson singled into right field. Falu tried to score on the play, but Rochester right fielder Jake Cave threw out Falu at home to end the inning.
Syracuse now travels to Pawtucket to begin a three-game series against the Red Sox on Friday night. RHP Brady Dragmire will pitch for the Chiefs, and RHP William Cuevas will be on the mound for the Red Sox. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
