Syracuse, NY (August 10, 2018) - The Syracuse Chiefs and the Gwinnett Stripers played seven scoreless innings before a four-run top of the eighth inning propelled Gwinnett to a 4-0 win on Friday evening in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 at NBT Bank Stadium.
Syracuse, NY (August 10, 2018) - The Syracuse Chiefs and the Gwinnett Stripers played seven scoreless innings before a four-run top of the eighth inning propelled Gwinnett to a 4-0 win on Friday evening in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 at NBT Bank Stadium.
Both starting pitchers were outstanding. Syracuse starter Phillips Valdez threw seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts while walking just one batter and allowing seven hits. Valdez stranded eight Gwinnett runners on base and retired the last eight batters he faced. Gwinnett starter Michael Mader impressed with six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and only three hits allowed but he did walk six batters. The pitcher's duel kept the game scoreless for seven innings.
Gwinnett (55-59) scored the game's first runs in the top of the eighth inning against Syracuse reliever Tim Collins. Austin Riley and Rio Ruiz both singled to begin the frame, putting runners at first and second base. Dustin Peterson followed with a single that scored Riley for a 1-0 Stripers lead. Xavier Avery then singled to load the bases. Sean Kazmar Jr. followed with a single to the left-center-field gap that brought home Ruiz to make it a 2-0 ballgame. Chiefs center fielder Victor Robles got to the ball and fired it in to the infield quickly enough to stop the other runners from advancing momentarily. Kazmar was almost to second base despite the runners ahead of him stopping, and Kazmar was tagged out during the ensuing rundown between first and second. During that rundown, Peterson scored and Avery advanced to third as Gwinnett took a 3-0 lead. Chris Stewart then singled home Avery from third, giving the Stripers a 4-0 advantage.
Syracuse (49-68) had opportunities to score but didn't take advantage of chances with runners in scoring position. The Chiefs left ten runners on base and went 0-for-7 with runners on second and/or third base.
The Chiefs and Stripers continue their three-game series on Saturday night with the second game. RHP Austin Voth will be on the mound for Syracuse. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
