SYRACUSE METS WIN OVER RED SOX 4-3

René Rivera had a go-ahead two-run single for Syracuse on Thursday night. (Danny Tripodi)

Syracuse, NY (June 27, 2019) - René Rivera delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Syracuse Mets stormed back to top the Pawtucket Red Sox, 4-3, on Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium in front of an electric crowd of 6,996. The Mets have now won three straight games. 

Syracuse (39-40) trailed, 3-1, entering the bottom of the eighth. Luis Guillorme started the frame with a single, Rubén Tejada walked, and Dilson Herrera drilled a ground-rule double to right field, scoring Guillorme from second base to cut the Pawtucket lead to one, 3-2. Rivera then followed with his two-run double down the left-field line, scoring Tejada and Herrera to give the Mets a 4-3 advantage. 

Syracuse had three hits in the first seven innings and then knocked four hits in the three-run eighth. Mets reliever Tyler Bashlor then struck out the side in the ninth inning to close the door and seal the victory. 

The Mets struck first in the second inning. Travis Taijeron led off the frame with a single. He advanced to second on a single from Aaron Altherr and then moved to third on a Tim Tebow fly out to center field. From there, Davis brought Taijeron home on a sacrifice fly to give the Mets the 1-0 lead. 

Pawtucket (31-46) tied the game up with a two-out rally in the top of the fourth inning. Chris Owings plated Steve Pearce from second on a single down the left-field line, knotting the score, 1-1. 

The Red Sox took their first lead of the night in the fifth. Josh Tobias led off the inning with a double down the right-field line. and Pearce drove him in with a two-out double down the left-field line, giving Pawtucket a 2-1 advantage. The next batter, Chad De La Guerrera, plated Pearce from second on a single, making it a two-run Red Sox advantage, 3-1.

Syracuse hits the road for the next six days, beginning with a three-game series in Buffalo. RHP Drew Gagnon will be on the mound for the Mets opposite RHP Jacob Waguespack for the Bisons. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.