Vance Worley dominant, but Syracuse falls to Buffalo in series opener, 3-0

*Buffalo, NY - *Vance Worley put together one of his best starts of the season, but the Syracuse offense stagnated as the Buffalo Bisons shut out the Syracuse Mets, 3-0, on Tuesday night at Sahlen Field. Worley delivered six innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking one and striking out three hitters. For Buffalo, it was reliever Bowden Francis who led the way, pitching five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Buffalo (65-41) finally put the first run of the game on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Christian Colón led off with a single against Worley, and then Eric Orze was called out of the bullpen. After striking out Cullen Large and Kellin Deglan, Orze gave up a two-out single to Logan Warmoth which advanced Colón to third base. With Forrest Wall at the plate, Orze threw a wild pitch, allowing Colón to come home for the game’s first run and put the Bisons in front, 1-0.

Syracuse (42-64) missed an opportunity to put runs on the board in the top of the eighth. Mark Payton hit a one-out double, and Wilfredo Tovar followed with a single up the middle to move Payton to third. A fielding error by catcher Kellin Deglan on a throw home allowed Tovar to get to second base on the play. With runners on second and third, both Cheslor Cuthbert and Khalil Lee struck out to end the inning.

Buffalo added to its lead in the bottom of the eighth. With Sean Reid-Foley on the mound, Tyler White worked a leadoff walk. Gregory Palanco followed with a two-run homer to make it a 3-0 Bisons advantage.

With the score still 3-0 Buffalo, Bisons reliever Jacob Waguespack came out of the bullpen to pitch the top of the ninth. After giving up one-out singles to Brandon Drury and Travis Blankenhorn, Waguespack retired David Thompson and Mason Williams to end the game and earn the save in the Bison’s ninth straight win.

Syracuse and Buffalo return to Sahlen Field on Wednesday for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.