Sunday, August 28, 2022

Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets beat the Worcester Red Sox, 6-4, on Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The win snaps a three-game losing streak for Syracuse and gives the Mets a chance at a six-game series split on Sunday. Worcester (62-60) wasted no time scoring in the game. Connor Wong led off the game with a double, and Abraham Almonte followed with a single that scored Wong for a 1-0 Red Sox lead. Syracuse (52-70) responded quickly in the bottom of the first. With one out, Dominic Smith walked. Daniel Palka followed by crushing a ball way over the wall in right-center field for a two-run home run that gave the Mets a 2-1 edge. The homer was Palka’s team-leading 25th of the season, which also moved him into sole possession of second place on the International League’s home run leaderboard. The Red Sox came right back in the top of the second. Jaylin Davis started the inning with a triple. Ryan Fitzgerald then walked to put runners at first and third. A Kole Cottam groundout into a double play marked the first two outs of the frame, but Davis scored from third to tie the game, 2-2. Then Wong followed with a home run to put Worcester back in front, 3-2. This series, Wong is 12-for-26 with 11 RBIs and three home runs in five games. The Mets struck again in the bottom of the second. Syracuse loaded the bases with an error, a single, and a fielder’s choice. Then, with two outs, Smith lined a single to the outfield that scored two runs to give the Mets back the lead, 4-3. Syracuse added to its advantage in the seventh by manufacturing a run without a hit. Palka led off with a walk and was replaced by Terrance Gore as a pinch runner. Gore then stole second base, stole third, and scored on a Nick Plummer groundout to second with the infield in as the Mets took a 5-3 lead. Worcester pulled back within one in the seventh. Ronaldo Hernandez singled to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Christin Stewart singled, and Davis followed with a walk to load the bases. Fitzgerald was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Hernandez from third to make it a 5-4 ballgame. The Mets added an insurance run in the eighth. Gosuke Katoh led off with a single. After back-to-back strikeouts, Travis Jankowski lined a two-out triple to the wall in right-center field that scored Katoh to give the Mets a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish. Syracuse and Worcester conclude their six-game series with the series finale on Sunday. Right-hander Josh Hejka is scheduled to start on the mound for the Mets opposite right-hander Josh Winckowski for the Red Sox. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES Brooklyn 3 Hudson Valley 2 Renegades Broadcast Highlights (credit: Hudson Valley Renegades/MiLB.tv): 08-19 HVR Broadcast Highlights at BRK BROOKLYN, N.Y. (August 19, 2022) — Josue Panacual turned in a strong start in the Hudson Valley Renegades 3-2 loss to the Brooklyn Cyclones on Friday night at Maimonides Park. Brooklyn struck first in the bottom of the first against Hudson Valley starter Josue Panacual. Matt Rudick walked, Alex Ramirez singled, both runners advanced on an error, and Rudick scored on a JT Schwartz grounder to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Jaylen Palmer crushed a solo homer to extend the lead to 2-0. Panacual completed six strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking four and striking out five. The right-hander bounced back and lasted six frames for the first time in since June 11, when he tossed seven scoreless innings against Jersey Shore. The Renegades answered back in the top of the third against Cyclones starter Christian Scott. With two outs and the bases loaded, Spencer Henson slammed a two-run double to level the score at two. The double marked Henson's fourth two-bagger in his last two games. Trey McLaughlin shined in his High-A debut for Brooklyn, silencing Hudson Valley over 4.1 shutout innings of relief, surrendering only two hits, walking one and striking out five. Daison Acosta (4-6) followed it up with two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out three. In the bottom of the ninth, Rudick laced a walk-off single off Charlie Ruegger, scoring Jaylen Palmer from second to win it for Brooklyn 3-2. Edgar Barclay (5-3) was charged with the loss despite 2.1 hitless innings, as he walked Palmer before exiting in the ninth. Hudson Valley continues its six-game series with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday night at Maimonides Park. RHP Richard Fitts (0-0, 1.35) takes the ball for the Renegades, while the Cyclones tab RHP Luis Moreno (1-6, 3.14). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Coverage begins on the Renegades Baseball Network at 5:45. Hudson Valley Renegades Record: 59-52, 25-20
Syracuse rally falls one run short in 12-11 loss to Charlotte in wild Friday night matchup Charlotte, NC – The Syracuse Mets fell victim to one bad early inning on Friday night as the Charlotte Knights scored seven times in the second inning on their way to a 12-11 win in uptown Charlotte. However, a furious late rally from the Mets made it yet another tight finish as Syracuse scored seven runs in the top of the eighth inning. Every single game this week has been decided by one run. The six-game series is now tied at two games apiece. Syracuse (50-65) got off to a good start for the second straight night, scoring twice in the top of the first. After Travis Blankenhorn flied out to start the inning, Dominic Smith walked, and Mark Vientos singled to put runners on first and third base with one out. That was followed by a groundball single from Daniel Palka that rolled into center field, scoring the first run of the ballgame and advancing Vientos to second as Smith trotted home for a 1-0 lead. Khalil Lee walked to load up the bases, and then Gosuke Katoh bounced into a groundout to first base that allowed Vientos to come home and make it a 2-0 game. It remained a 2-0 game until the bottom of the second inning when the game got away from the Mets. After Harol González worked a 1-2-3 top of the first in his first start of the season for Syracuse, the second frame proved to be his demise. Charlotte (45-70) scored seven runs on eight hits in the inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Lenyn Sosa and an RBI double from Carlos Perez. The inning would chase González from the game, finishing his start with seven runs allowed on seven hits in just one and one-third innings. González had made five appearances (four starts) in the lower levels of the Mets minor league system before Friday night’s start. The 27-year-old right-hander is returning from Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2021 season. González made eight appearances (seven starts) with Syracuse during the 2019 season, posting an ERA of 2.68 in 40 and one-third innings with 23 strikeouts. In the bottom of the third, Charlotte scored again when Craig Dedelow reached on a two-out error, stole second, and scored on a single from Xavier Hernandez to make it an 8-2 game. Syracuse got a run back in the top of the fourth on a solo home run from Khalil Lee, his 10th big fly of the season to trim the deficit back to five, 8-3. But Charlotte countered with a solo home run of its own in the bottom of the fifth, this one off the bat of Micker Adolfo to make it a 9-3 ballgame. Each team had plenty of runs left to score in the ballgame. Charlotte scored once in the sixth via a Jake Burger RBI single, followed by two more runs in the bottom of the seventh on RBI doubles from Xavier Hernandez and Yolbert Sanchez. Syracuse scored once in the top of the seventh on a solo home run from JT Riddle, his seventh home run of the season in 63 Triple-A games between Louisville (27 games) and Syracuse (36 games). The Mets entered the top of the eighth inning down, 12-4, but true to form in this wacky week of baseball, Syracuse made it a ballgame again. The Mets produced their own seven-run inning, somehow crawling back to within one run at 12-11. The inning started with a Dominic Smith double, followed by a Mark Vientos groundout and a Daniel Palka walk to put two runners on base with one out. Khalil Lee was then plunked by a pitch, loading up the bases. Gosuke Katoh, the next batter, then got hit by a pitch too, making it a 12-5 game and keeping the bases loaded. From there, the fun truly began. JT Riddle doubled off the top of the wall in right-center field, scoring Palka and Lee and moving Katoh up to third to make it a 12-7 ballgame. Jose Colina then singled home Katoh and Riddle, slashing the deficit to three, 12-9. That was followed by yet another hit, this one a single from Terrance Gore that put runners on first and second with one out. A Travis Blankenhorn walk loaded up the bases again, followed by a Smith single in his second at-bat of the inning that scored a run and made it 12-10 with the bases loaded. Vientos strode to the plate for the second time in the inning, hitting a bouncer to third base that looked like a sure double play to finally end the frame. Yet, the Knights could only get the force out at second base, as the relay throw back to first base to complete the possible inning-ending double play was dropped. That made it 12-11, put runners on first and third with two outs, and brought Palka to the plate yet again with the chance to miraculously tie the game. It wasn’t to be, as Palka grounded out to shortstop to end the flurry of runs for the Mets at seven in the eighth inning. It remained 12-11 into the top of the ninth with one last chance for the Mets to complete their truly wild comeback. After Lee struck out to start the inning, Katoh singled to keep the hopes of late magic alive. Riddle then came to the plate and lined a single himself into right field, putting the potential leading run on base with one out in the top of the ninth. However, the magic then ran out, as Francisco Álvarez and Gore each struck out to end another crazy game down in Charlotte. Despite the loss, it was still an excellent night to be a hitter for the Syracuse Mets. Eight out of the Mets nine starters got at least one hit, and every single starter reached base at least once. Seven different players drove in at least one run in the 11-run outburst on the night. JT Riddle led the crowd, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and three runs driven in. Truist Field in Charlotte is known for being a hitter’s paradise, and this week has held true to form. The series thus far has been an absolute scoring bonanza with the two teams combining for 76 runs in the first three games. The two teams have also combined for 17 home runs in the first four games of the series. Syracuse and Charlotte continue their six-game series with the penultimate game on Saturday night with first pitch slated for 7:04 p.m.
Ponies Doubled Up by Squirrels Friday Night in Richmond RICHMOND, VA – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies fell to the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-4 on Friday night at The Diamond, as the two teams have split the first four games of the series. Richmond (14-28, 54-57) got off to an early 3-0 lead in the first against Oscar Rojas (0-1), making his first Double-A start. The Squirrels then added sacrifice flies to right in the third and fourth to make it 5-0. In the sixth, Brandon Martorano hit a two-run shot, his second home run in as many nights to make it 7-0 as part of a three-run sixth. In the seventh, the Ponies (14-28, 42-69) mounted a comeback scoring two runs on a pair of RBI singles from Matt Winaker and Wyatt Young to cut the deficit to 8-2. In the eighth, they made it 8-4 on an RBI single from Hayden Senger and a sacrifice fly from Jeremy Vasquez. Wyatt Young led off the ninth with a walk and Luke Ritter lined a two out double to left center field that put runners on second and third with two out. Cole Waites struck Senger out swinging to end the game. Keaton Winn (1-0), making his Double-A debut for Richmond, allowed two hits over five scoreless frames with four walks and three strikeouts. Senger, Ronny Mauricio, Matt Winaker, and Luke Ritter all had multi-hit games. Senger and Winaker reached base a combined seven times. The two teams continue their series on Saturday night with first pitch at 6:05 PM and pregame coverage getting underway at 5:50 PM. Postgame Notes: Young’s RBI single in the seventh extended his on-base streak to 25 games.
Golf Legues Getting Ready For Playoffs Local Sullivan County Golf leagues are nearing the end of regular season play and some have already set up their league playoff schedule. League play finds a tight race for first place in the Twin Village Monday Men's league with Brock & Brock in first place with an 182.0 score followed by Husson IV and Husson III close behind with a 181.0 record. In the Tuesday Night Par league at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club Tanous and Wilhelm lead the league with 110.0 wins while second place see's Fanning and Marciano with 102.5 wins. In the Tuesday Men's league at Tarry Brae another close race with Yaun & Gilmore in first (167.0), Green and Garcia in second with 165.0 and Bonsick & Cassevah in third place with a 160.0 points. Another tight race in the Sullivan Travel league between Sullivan and DeVantier in first place with 188.0 wins followed by Thomas and Husson in second place with a 185.5 win record. Makes the leagues much more competative with the top teams battling it out for championships. Golf Not In Healthy Relationship The PGA Tour fired back recently at a lawsuit filed by professional golfers who recently jointed the rival LIV Golf Tour.....dubbing them "Saudi Golf League Employees," according to a memo obtained by Yahoo Finance. Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and nine others LIV golfers filed an antitrust complaint against the PGA Tour. Within hours the PGA Tour responded in a scorching memo to members from Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. The memo said, "it's an attempt to use the TOUR platform to promote themselves and to free ride on your benefits and efforts," PGA Tour Commissoner Monahan write to members. "To allow re-entry into our events compromises the Tour and the competition, to the detriment of our organization, our players, our partners and our fans. The lawsuit they have filed somehow expects us to believe the opposite, which is why we intend to make our case clearly and vigorously." In a statement to Yahoo Finance, LIV Golf said, "The players are right to have brought this action to challenge the PGA's anti-competitive rules and to vindicate their rights as independent contractors to play where and when they choose. Despite the PGA Tour's effort to stifle competition, we think golfers should be allowed to play golf." The discourse between the PGA Tour and its suspeded members has grown as more players have joined the LIV Tour. Sources with knowledge of the situation have told Yahoo Finance the Tour views LIV as a competitive threat and is trying to improve its own product to compete with it. "We're very much open to any conversations with the PGA Tour around what the future would look like," LIV Golf COO and President Atui Khosla told Yahoo Finance. "We feel like there is space for both products in the ecosystem," Khosla added. It will be interesting to see if any negotiations do take place......it is presently not healthy for the sport of golf. The Golf Tip By Robert Menges How to start your Downswing to become more consistent. To start your downswing you want to feel as though your hands stay at the top of the back swing and your front leg starts the downswing. Of course this won't happen but that's the feeling you should have. You should also experiment with a different part of your front leg to start your downswing. I recommend using your front knee or your front hip. So simply swing back as normal and then feel as though your hands do nothing because it should be your front knee or hip that pulls your downswing into action. A good drill to get this feeling is to swing back as normal but pull your front foot in so it touches your back foot at the top of the back swing. And then to start your downswing simply move your front foot into it's normal position and swing through. This will help to teach you the correct chain of events for the downswing. Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. Call him to see if he is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered , he can be reached by phone at 845-292-0323 or 845-866-5567 or via email at bobmenges22@gmail.com ************************ Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the Sport of Golf and brings over 60 years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column, online at http://bght.blogspot.com or email at bght75@gmail.com If you have league or tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even score your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177.
Ponies Doubled Up by Squirrels Friday Night in Richmond RICHMOND, VA – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies fell to the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-4 on Friday night at The Diamond, as the two teams have split the first four games of the series. Richmond (14-28, 54-57) got off to an early 3-0 lead in the first against Oscar Rojas (0-1), making his first Double-A start. The Squirrels then added sacrifice flies to right in the third and fourth to make it 5-0. In the sixth, Brandon Martorano hit a two-run shot, his second home run in as many nights to make it 7-0 as part of a three-run sixth. In the seventh, the Ponies (14-28, 42-69) mounted a comeback scoring two runs on a pair of RBI singles from Matt Winaker and Wyatt Young to cut the deficit to 8-2. In the eighth, they made it 8-4 on an RBI single from Hayden Senger and a sacrifice fly from Jeremy Vasquez. Wyatt Young led off the ninth with a walk and Luke Ritter lined a two out double to left center field that put runners on second and third with two out. Cole Waites struck Senger out swinging to end the game. Keaton Winn (1-0), making his Double-A debut for Richmond, allowed two hits over five scoreless frames with four walks and three strikeouts. Senger, Ronny Mauricio, Matt Winaker, and Luke Ritter all had multi-hit games. Senger and Winaker reached base a combined seven times. The two teams continue their series on Saturday night with first pitch at 6:05 PM and pregame coverage getting underway at 5:50 PM. Postgame Notes: Young’s RBI single in the seventh extended his on-base streak to 25 games.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES GAME REPORT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hudson Valley 11 Brooklyn 4 Renegades Broadcast Highlights (credit: Hudson Valley Renegades/MiLB.tv): 08-18 HVR Broadcast Highlights at BRK BROOKLYN, N.Y. (August 18, 2022) — Jasson Domínguez and Tyler Hardman powered the Hudson Valley Renegades to an 11-4 win over the Brooklyn Cylones on Wednesday night at Maimonides Park. Domínguez finished 3-for-6 with a two-run homer, a triple, and three runs scored, while Hardman went 3-for-5 with a solo shot, a double, a two-run single, a walk, and three runs scored. The Gades tallied 16 hits and nine walks, jumping into the first place with the victory. Brooklyn plated a run in the bottom of the first against Hudson Valley starter Blas Castaño. Jose Peroza roped an RBI double to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. The Renegades rallied for three in the top of the third against Junior Santos (6-12). Trey Sweeney and Domínguez singled to start the inning, Hardman banged an RBI double, Domínguez scored on a wild pitch, and Anthony Seigler lined an RBI single to put Hudson Valley in front 3-1. The Cyclones struck back in the bottom of the inning. Peroza racked up another RBI with a single to center, shaving the deficit to 3-2. Hudson Valley continued a run of four consecutive run-scoring frames in the top of the fourth. Spencer Henson doubled, Aldenis Sanchez singled, and Sweeney bounced an RBI grounder, scoring Henson from third to extend the lead to 4-2. In the top of the fifth, Henson rocked another RBI double to make it 5-2 Renegades. Henson finished 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles, and an RBI. Alex Ramirez smoked an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth to pull Brooklyn within two at 5-3. Castaño (4-7) grinded out five innings for Hudson Valley, allowing three runs on four hits, walking two and striking out six. In the top of the sixth, Hardman stroked a two-run single to center to create a 7-3 cushion. In all, the Renegades tagged Santos for seven runs on nine hits in three innings. Brooklyn showed life in the bottom of the seventh. William Lugo singled home Matt Rudick to trim the Hudson Valley lead to 7-4. In the top of the eighth, Domínguez tripled to left-center and scored on a wild pitch to push the edge to four at 8-4. The Renegades mashers put the icing on the cake in the top of the ninth. Domínguez launched an opposite-field two-run homer and Hardman crushed a no-doubt blast to make it 11-4 Hudson Valley. The back-to-back blasts were the first pair of consecutive home runs for the Renegades since July 3 against Brooklyn. Kevin Milam and Carlos Gomez combined for four excellent innings out of the Hudson Valley bullpen, allowing only one run on two hits to seal the win. Hudson Valley continues its six-game series with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Wednesday night at Maimonides Park. RHP Josue Panacual (2-5, 5.80) toes the slab for the Renegades, while the Cyclones send RHP Christian Scott (0-0, 0.00) to the bump. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Coverage begins on the Renegades Baseball Network at 6:45. Hudson Valley Renegades Record: 59-51, 25-19

Friday, August 12, 2022

Syracuse battles back twice for resilient 6-5 win over Buffalo on Thursday Night Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets would not be denied on Thursday night, rallying back from two different deficits to take down the Buffalo Bisons, 6-5, at NBT Bank Stadium. The Mets snapped a two-game losing streak in the process. Syracuse (48-60) got off to an excellent start, plating a run right away in the bottom of the first. Brett Baty reached on an infield single to start the inning, promptly sprinting up to second when Buffalo’s second baseman, Otto Lopez, threw the ball away trying to peg out Baty at first. The next batter, Nick Plummer, punched a single into right field to plate Baty and make it 1-0 Mets in a flash. From there, Connor Grey settled into a very solid start for Syracuse. The right-hander from St. Bonaventure tossed four scoreless innings to begin the game, allowing just two hits with one walk and two strikeouts. At one point, Grey retired ten consecutive batters. However, Grey ran into trouble in the top of the fifth. Buffalo (56-51) plated two runs off Grey in the frame to take its first lead of the night at 2-1. First, Rafael Lantigua launched a home run to left field leading off the inning to knot the game up, 1-1. Then, after an L.J. Talley groundout, Colton Shaver walked, Chavez Young singled, and Lopez singled to score Shaver and make it 2-1 in favor of the road team. That lead wouldn’t last at all as Syracuse responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead at 4-2. The Mets would send eight men to the plate in the fateful fifth. After Michael Perez struck out to start the inning, Syracuse got to work. First, Baty and Plummer singled to put runners on first and second with one out. Then, Mark Vientos crushed a double to the wall in left-center field, plating Baty and Plummer in the process to give the Mets a 3-2 advantage. The next batter, Travis Blankenhorn, pounded a single into right field that scored Vientos and capped the inning’s scoring at 4-2. This teeter-totter baseball game would swing back in favor of the Bisons in the top of the seventh as it was their turn to score three runs and take a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh. The pivotal play in the inning came on one big blow. With two runners on base and two outs, Vinny Capra was staring down a 3-2 count against R.J Alvarez, the reliever into the ballgame for the Mets who owned a 2.91 ERA on the season entering the evening. However, Capra would get the better of Alvarez this time, taking a hanging breaking ball and sending it over the left-field fence to swoop the Bisons in front by a 5-4 count. In the bottom of the seventh, Syracuse finally provided the knockout punch, scoring twice to take the lead for good at 6-5. Plummer walked and Vientos singled to start the inning, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. After a Blankenhorn strikeout, Patrick Mazeika was hit by a pitch to load up the bases with one out. Khalil Lee then came to the plate and got the job down, slapping a sharp single into right field to score Plummer and Vientos and give the Mets the lead for good, 6-5. Lee had an excellent night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three singles. In the eighth and ninth, Syracuse powered its way to victory via a lights-out relief appearance from Bryce Montes de Oca. The hulking right-handed reliever earned a six-out save, retiring all six batters he faced in order to lock down his seventh save of the season in grand style. Montes de Oca ended the game with a flourish, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning to give the Mets their first win of the week. Syracuse is home all week for a six-game series against the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Buffalo Bisons. Friday night’s game is slated to start at 6:35 p.m. Jose Butto is scheduled to start the game for the Mets, making his Triple-A debut. Casey Lawrence will oppose him for the Bisons.

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Syracuse powers its way to 6-3 Friday night win at Lehigh Valley Allentown, PA – The Syracuse Mets snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday night, roaring out to an early lead and never looking back on their way to a 6-3 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on a warm, summer evening at Coca-Cola Park. Francisco Álvarez homered for the second time in three games, and Connor Grey pitched six innings of one-run baseball en route to the win. Syracuse (46-57) started its scoring early on Friday night, plating one run right away in the top of the first when Daniel Palka blasted a pitch over the right-field wall. It was Palka’s 18th home run of the season. The Mets really gave themselves some distance in the third inning. Deven Marrero led off the inning with a walk, promptly moving up to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Terrance Gore. Nick Plummer brought home Marrero with a one-out double, his fourth hit in the last two games, giving the Mets a 2-0 advantage. That brought Francisco Álvarez to the plate, and the 20-year-old phenom did not disappoint. Álvarez pounded an offering way beyond the left-field fence, a two-run shot that made it 4-0 Syracuse in a flash. Buoyed by early run support, Grey flourished on the mound. Syracuse’s starter tossed one of his best outings of the season, allowing just one run in six innings on two hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Grey took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, befuddling IronPigs batters with a well-placed fastball and a sharp, biting curveball. Lehigh Valley (57-46) did scratch across a run off of Grey in the bottom of the fifth inning. Josh Ockimey doubled leading off the frame, breaking up Grey’s no-hitter in the process. After a Chris Sharpe fly out, Rafael Marchan chopped a single up the middle that scored Ockimey and made it a 4-1 game. That would be the only run to come home against Grey, who induced a double-play ball to end the fifth and worked a 1-2-3 sixth to complete his outstanding start. In the seventh, Lehigh Valley got a bit closer again on a solo home run from Jorge Bonifacio that made it a 4-2 game. However, in the top of the eighth, Syracuse found the insurance it would sorely need with two runs that made it a 6-2 advantage. After a Plummer groundout to start the inning, Álvarez was hit by a pitch, and Palka singled to put two runners on base with one out. Travis Blankenhorn then came to the plate and did damage one more time, lining a single into right-center field to score Álvarez and move Palka up to third as the Mets took a 5-2 edge. Blankenhorn has hits in 42 of his last 52 games since May 12th, batting .340 during that time with 17 doubles. Nick Dini followed it up with another single to plate Palka and make it a 6-2 game. It remained a 6-2 game into the bottom of the ninth when things got interesting very quickly. Michel Otañez struck out the first two batters he faced and then induced a groundball to third base that looked like it would end the game. However, JT Riddle made an error to extend the game. Otañez promptly walked the next three batters, bringing home a run, making it 6-3 and keeping the bases loaded with two outs. Rob Zastryzny was summoned from the bullpen to finally end the game and earn his first save of the season. Zastryzny did just that, striking out Will Toffey to hand Syracuse its first win of the series. Syracuse continues its six-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday evening at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Tim Adleman is slated to start for the Mets, opposed by right-hander Colton Eastman for the IronPigs.
Rumble Ponies Sweep Patriots in Friday Doubleheader, Take First Four Games of Series BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (11-19, 39-60) swept both games of a doubleheader Friday against the Somerset Patriots (16-13, 60-39) at TD Bank Ballpark, taking the first four games of the series. They defeated Somerset 11-8 in the continuation of Friday’s suspended game and doubled up the Patriots 10-5 in game two for their first sweep of a doubleheader this season. Binghamton is on a four-game winning streak, matching their season high. Game Two: Rumble Ponies 10, Patriots 5 (7) The Rumble Ponies were propelled by a seven-run sixth inning, as with the bases loaded they drew three walks, had one hitter hit by a pitch, with another run scored via a wild pitch. Down 4-3 entering the frame, Brett Baty hit an RBI single to right to tie the game and Luke Ritter hit a go-ahead single into center field that put Binghamton on top 5-4. In the top of the fourth, Ronny Mauricio hit a mammoth three-run blast to right center field to give the Ponies a 3-1 lead. Mauricio now has twenty home runs on the year to go along with 65 RBI. Antonio Santos (6-3) picked up the win pitching two scoreless innings in relief allowing one run with one walk and six strikeouts. Game One: Rumble Ponies 11, Patriots 8 In a game that began Thursday night, the Rumble Ponies continued the suspended game on Friday afternoon and held on for the victory. Heading into Friday, the Rumble Ponies had already hit five home runs, including a pair of two-run homers from Brett Baty over the first two innings, his 17th and 18th of the year. Binghamton scored seven runs in the second inning, with Matt O’Neill also hitting a three-run homer and Brandon McIlwain belting a two-run shot to left. Luke Ritter added a solo home run to center to begin the third. Tony Dibrell (1-0) made his 2022 Binghamton debut beginning the third inning and pitched three scoreless frames, allowing just two hits with one walk and four strikeouts. POSTGAME NOTES: Brett Baty was named the July MiLB Player of the Month for the Eastern League…Ritter has driven in a run in four straight games…the Rumble Ponies had a seven-run inning in both games, which is a season high…Ritter has driven in a run in four straight games.

Friday, August 5, 2022

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES Hudson Valley 11 Jersey Shore Lakewood, N.J. (Aug. 4, 2022) – Trailing 5-0 after the first inning, the Hudson Valley Renegades scored an improbable 11-7 victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Thursday night at ShoreTown Ballpark. It was the Renegades 11th straight win against the BlueClaws, and their 12th win in their last 13 meetings. The BlueClaws struck for five runs in the bottom of the first inning against Juan Carela, who was making his High-A debut for the Renegades. Carela lasted just 0.2 innings, allowing five runs on two hits while walking four and hitting a batter. The Renegades struck back with a run in the second when T.J. Rumfield doubled and scored on a James Nelson groundout. In the fifth, Rumfield blasted a three-run home run to right to cut the deficit to 5-4. The blast was part of a big night for Rumfield, who finished 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, a walk and four RBIs. Nelvin Correa kept the game close with 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings of long relief in back of Carela. Jersey Shore responded in the bottom of the fifth against Carlos Gomez with a two-run single by Baron Radcliff to grow the lead to 7-4. However, the Gades quickly answered with two runs in the sixth when Erubiel Armenta walked the bases loaded with no outs. Jasson Dominguez brought in a run with a fielder’s choice groundout, and Tyler Hardman grounded an RBI single to center to close the gap to 7-6. In the top of the eighth, the Renegades took the lead by sending eight men to the plate without a ball in play. A combination of four walks and a hit batsmen led to two runs, with Nelson’s walk driving in Anthony Seigler with the go-ahead run to make it 8-7. Hardman crushed a three-run home run in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 11-7. That would loom large, as the BlueClaws put runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Jhonatan Munoz and Charlie Ruegger combined to finish off the game. The Renegades drew a season-high 13 walks in the game, the most for the team since July 25, 2021 at Aberdeen. The Renegades continue their series with the BlueClaws on Friday night at ShoreTown Ballpark. RHP Josue Panacual (2-3, 4.35) climbs the hill for Hudson Valley, while Jersey Shore sends RHP Mick Abel (6-7, 3.92). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with pregame coverage on the Renegades Baseball Network starting at 6:45. Hudson Valley Renegades Record: 53-45, 19-13
Lehigh Valley outlasts Syracuse in ten innings, 7-6 Allentown, PA – The Syracuse Mets rallied back from an early deficit but did not close it out late as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs won, 7-6, in ten innings on a warm, humid, and sometimes rainy night at Coca-Cola Park. The Mets have had a disappointing start to the week at Lehigh Valley, dropping the first three games of the six-game series. Early on, it looked like Lehigh Valley (57-45) would roll to a victory as the IronPigs roared out to a 3-0 lead after the bottom of the first. Dalton Guthrie and Nick Maton walked to start the inning, and after Justin Williams was hit by a pitch with one out, the bases were loaded with the home team poised to strike. They did just that as Rafael Marchan lofted a single into shallow center field to plate Guthrie and Maton and make it 2-0. The next batter, Jorge Bonifacio, lined out deep enough into left field to score Williams and complete the early three-run assault in the first inning for Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs have scored a combined nine runs in the first inning so far this week. From there, Syracuse (45-57) would settle in and start to rally its way back into the ballgame. The comeback began in the top of the fourth with two outs. Nick Plummer doubled to extend the inning off the top of the right-field wall, followed by a Gosuke Katoh RBI single that plated Plummer and made it a 3-1 game. In the fifth, the Mets roared in front with three runs via another late two-out rally. Deven Marrero led off the inning with a triple, but he was in danger of staying there after Michael Perez struck out and Tzu-Wei Lin grounded out. Then, the IronPigs starting pitcher lost the zone, Christopher Sanchez walked the next three batters he faced (Francisco Álvarez, Dominic Smith, and Travis Blankenhorn) to score Marrero, make it a 3-2 game and keep the bases loaded. A new pitcher, Jonathan Hennigan, entered the game trying to settle the situation down and keep the IronPigs in front. He couldn’t do it as Nick Plummer grounded a single into center field to score Álvarez and Smith, propelling Syracuse to a 4-3 lead in the process. It stayed a 4-3 game all the way until the top of the ninth inning, as the Mets found a bit of insurance on one powerful swing. Michael Perez pounded a pitch over the right-field wall, a laser-beam solo shot that made it a 5-3 game and a two-run cushion for Syracuse. It was the first hit for Perez as a Syracuse Met in three games. He was acquired by the New York Mets via a trade on July 23rd from the Pittsburgh Pirates. It remained a 5-3 game entering the bottom of the ninth with Mets closer Bryce Montes de Oca entering the game hoping to earn his seventh save of the season. On this night, the normally über-reliable closer just didn’t have his best stuff. The IronPigs scored twice to tie the game and send it into extras. The inning started when Jorge Bonifacio was plunked by a pitch, and Will Toffey walked, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. Josh Ockimey came on as a pinch-hitter and nearly ended the game, pounding a pitch off the wall in right-center field for a double. The two-bagger scored one run and advanced Toffey to third with nobody out. Scott Kingery walked to load the bases, followed by a groundball to shortstop from Dalton Guthrie that scored Toffey, advanced Ockimey to third, put Guthrie on first and knotted the game up, 5-5, with one out. To the credit of Montes de Oca, he battled back to strike out the next two batters and ensure the game would enter extra innings. In the top of the tenth, Syracuse plated a run to take the lead back at 6-5. Terrance Gore began the inning as the free runner at second base with nobody out, advancing to third on a Travis Blankenhorn flyout. Plummer then came to the plate and chopped a single into center field, scoring Gore to give the Mets a 6-5 edge and putting the capper on a great day for Plummer. The Michigan native finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with two singles, a double, a run scored, and three runs driven in. It was still 6-5 entering the bottom of the tenth, as reliever Phillip Diehl entered the game with the chance to earn a victory for the Mets. Yet, it wasn’t to be. Johan Camargo started the inning as the free runner at second base with nobody out, promptly moving up to third on a single from Justin Williams. Donny Sands, a pinch-hitter, then looped a ball into shallow center field that scored Camargo, tying the game, 6-6, and putting two runners on base with nobody out. Chris Sharpe then came to the plate and attempted to drop down a sacrifice bunt. He popped up the bunt, but it tipped off of Diehl’s glove, landed fair on the grass on the third-base side, and now meant the bases were loaded with nobody out in a tied game in the tenth inning. Toffey strode to the plate with the chance to be a hero and did so in unusual fashion. The former Vanderbilt Commodore drew a bases-loaded walk to end the game and hand Lehigh Valley a 7-6 win. Syracuse continues its six-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Connor Grey is slated to start for the Mets, opposed by left-hander Kent Emmanuel for the IronPigs.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Brilliant Lehigh Valley pitching handcuffs Syracuse in 6-1 loss on Wednesday night Allentown, PA – The Syracuse Mets were rendered nearly silent at the plate on Wednesday night as truly excellent pitching from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs led the way to a 6-1 victory for the home team on a warm Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs have now won the first two games of the week-long, six-game series. Lehigh Valley (56-45) exploded out of the box in the bottom of the first inning, plating four runs on three hits plus two pivotal walks. All four of the tallies came with two outs. Jean Segura and Donny Sands walked earlier in the inning, followed by a Nick Maton single that loaded up the bases with one out, but all three were still stuck on base with two outs in the frame. Then, Justin Williams came to the plate and the fun began in earnest for the IronPigs. The 26-year-old outfielder lined a single into right field, plating Segura and Sands and making it a 2-0 game in a flash. Maton advanced to third base on the play and scored on a passed ball for a 3-0 Lehigh Valley lead. Chris Sharpe then singled into right field and scored Williams from second base for a 4-0 advantage. The IronPigs scored another pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Johan Camargo walked, and Sands singled to kickstart the inning, followed by a Maton walk to load up the bases with nobody out. Dalton Guthrie then doubled off the wall in left-center field, scoring Camargo and Sands and making it 6-0 IronPigs just like that. It was plenty of run support for Michael Plassmeyer, who quite frankly didn’t need it. The left-handed starter for Lehigh Valley twirled an absolute gem on Wednesday night, utilizing a wicked breaking ball and a well-placed fastball to befuddle Mets batters. Plassmeyer took a perfect game into the sixth inning, retiring the first 15 batters he faced in order. By the end of his outing, Plassmeyer had allowed just one run in seven brilliant innings on four hits, no walks, and a career-high 11 strikeouts. Plassmeyer had his perfect game broken up in the top of the sixth inning when Travis Blankenhorn led off the inning with a double, but the Mets left him stranded. Syracuse (45-56) finally got on the board in the seventh inning. Francisco Álvarez, the top prospect in Minor League Baseball, led off and left the crowd at Coca-Cola Park shaking their hands in wonder. On the first pitch of the frame, Álvarez launched a ball over the left-field fence and literally out of the stadium. The 20-year-old phenom now has four home runs in 18 Triple-A games. Álvarez also extended his hitting streak to seven games and his on-base streak to 12 games with his prodigious blast in the top of the seventh. From there, however, the Mets would not score again as the IronPigs locked up their second straight win to start the series. Syracuse finished the game 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Mets are 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series. Syracuse continues its six-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Thursday evening at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Nate Fisher is slated to start for the Mets, opposed by left-hander Cristopher Sanchez for the IronPigs.
COTÉ CHARGES TO TOP SPOT IN QUALIFYING AT 2022 PWBA DALLAS CLASSIC DALLAS – For the second consecutive year, Bryanna Coté of Tucson, Arizona, has made an early impact at the final Classic Series of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association season and leads after qualifying at the PWBA Dallas Classic. The 2021 PWBA Player of the Year moved to the top of the standings in the second to last game Wednesday at USA Bowl and finished her 12-game block with a 2,590 total, a 215.83 average. Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, was second with a 2,507 total, and opening-round leader Birgit Noreiks of Germany finished third with 2,502. Colombia’s Clara Guerrero (2,472) and Jillian Martin of Stow, Ohio (2,448), followed next in the standings. The top 12 athletes from the 83-player field advanced to match play at the Dallas Classic, which features a pair of six-game match-play rounds that start Thursday at 10 a.m. Eastern. Total pinfall, including bonus pins for wins in match play, will determine the five finalists for Thursday’s stepladder finals. All rounds of competition at the Dallas Classic will be broadcast live at BowlTV.com. The stepladder will air at 8 p.m. Eastern, and the champion will take home $10,000. The final qualifying spot went to two-time PWBA Player of the Year Shannon O’Keefe of Shiloh, Illinois. She finished with a 2,418 total, a 201.5 average, to edge Japan’s Suzuna Miyagi by a single pin. The Dallas Classic Series includes the final three events of the 2022 season – Dallas Classic, PWBA Pepsi Classic and PWBA Tour Championship. The Pepsi Classic is taking place Aug. 5-6, and the Tour Championship, the third major of the year, will be Aug. 7-9. Coté was sixth after Wednesday’s opening block with a six-game score of 1,231 but felt like she had left a couple pins behind due to execution on the demanding 36-foot oil pattern. The three-time PWBA Tour champion regrouped for the second block and stayed on top of her moves, firing a 1,359 total to take over the lead. “My execution was about 80% during the first block, and I knew I lost some pins on a couple of bad shots,” said Coté, who won the PWBA BVL Open in June. “It was a little frustrating, because I saw the picture pretty clearly. It was just a matter of getting it there. “For my second set, I didn’t miss any makeable spares. If I saw my ball do something, I was really on top of the moves. When I got to a pair where it hooked more, I jumped a zone left. If it went too long, I made sure I went farther right or was softer with my hand. I stuck to my game plan, and it worked. I was able to use one ball and as I kept chasing it left, it kept doing the right thing. I just had to execute.” Coté entered this week’s Classic Series in third place on the season-long points list, which determines the athlete that earns PWBA Player of the Year honors for the year. She has accumulated 66,415 points and trails O’Keefe (79,250) and Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York (70,835). McEwan also made match play at the Dallas Classic after finishing qualifying in 10th place with a 2,423 total. At last year’s Fall Classic Series in Reno, Nevada, Coté was outside of the top seven in points heading into the final three events at the National Bowling Stadium. A quick start and runner-up finish at the first tournament – the PWBA Reno Classic – helped push her into the mix for the postseason award. She earned the top seed and finished second at the 2021 Tour Championship to secure player-of-the-year honors for the first time in her career. Although there may be some parallels from 2021 to 2022 through the first day of competition, she’s not getting too far ahead of herself and plans to keep her focus set on the things she can control. “I was a little hesitant about this pattern during the practice session, because I didn’t have the greatest look,” Coté said. “I drilled three balls for this pattern, because I felt like something was missing and I wasn’t seeing it clearly in practice. Today, something clicked, and I just went with it. To have a good start is a relief, since playing catch up is not ideal, but it’s still a long week. There are a lot of games to be bowled, so I’m just looking to take it one shot and one frame at a time. If I look ahead, bad things can happen.” The Dallas Classic and Pepsi Classic will feature the same format. The finals of the Pepsi Classic also will air on BowlTV. The stepladder will be Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern. The combined qualifying totals for the Dallas Classic and Pepsi Classic (24 games) will determine the 24 athletes advancing to the Tour Championship. Pinfall will drop at the beginning of the Tour Championship, with all advancers bowling three eight-game blocks of round-robin match play Sunday and Monday. The top five competitors, based on total pinfall and bonus pins, will advance to Tuesday’s stepladder finals. The finals of the Tour Championship will be broadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network, with the winner earning the $50,000 top prize. To learn more about the PWBA Tour, visit PWBA.com. About the PWBA The Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) originally was formed in 1960. The PWBA Tour has events throughout the country, offering high-level competition and top prize money for women bowlers. The PWBA is supported by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). 2022 PWBA Dallas Classic At USA Bowl Dallas Wednesday’s Results 1, Bryanna Coté, Tucson, Ariz., 2,590. 2, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 2,507. 3, Birgit Noreiks, Germany, 2,502. 4, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 2,472. 5, Jillian Martin (n), Stow, Ohio, 2,448. 6, Dasha Kovalova, Ukraine, 2,446. 7, Stephanie Zavala, Downey, Calif., 2,443. 8, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 2,435. 9, Brandi Kordelewski, Belleville, Ill., 2,425. 10, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 2,423. 11, Rocio Restrepo, Uniontown, Ohio, 2,420. 12, Shannon O'Keefe, Shiloh, Ill., 2,418. DID NOT ADVANCE 13, Suzuna Miyagi, Japan, 2,417, $1,200. 14, Taylor Bulthuis, New Port Richey, Fla., 2,396, $1,200. 15, Lindsay Boomershine, Brigham City, Utah, 2,395, $1,200. 16, Jordan Richard, Maumee, Ohio, 2,394, $1,200. 17, Brianna Andrew, Grand Rapids, Mich., 2,384, $1,200. 18, Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., 2,371, $1,200. 19, Breanna Clemmer, Clover, S.C., 2,364, $1,200. 20, Verity Crawley, England, 2,356, $1,200. 21, Laura Plazas (n), Bogota, 2,350, $1,200. 22, Felicia Wong, Canada, 2,346, $1,200. 23(tie), Kayla Pashina, Otsego, Minn., and Daria Pajak, Poland, 2,343, $1,200. 25, Kara Mangiola, Spencerport, N.Y., 2,341, $1,200. 26, Justyne Vukovich, New Stanton, Pa., 2,336, $1,200. 27, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 2,334, $1,200. 28, Kayla Smith (n), Salem, Ill., 2,333, $1,200. 29, Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 2,331. 30, Taylor Bailey, Jonesboro, Ark., 2,328. 31, Lauren Tomaszewski (n), Wylie, Texas, 2,324. 32, Kayla Crawford, Silvis, Ill., 2,322. 33, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,321. 34(tie), Lauren Pate, Ballwin, Mo., and Jen Higgins, Lewis Center, Ohio, 2,317. 36, Jessica Earnest, Hermitage, Tenn., 2,315. 37, Ana Morales, Guatemala, 2,312. 38, Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, Ind., 2,304. 39, Courtney Ermisch, Big Bend, Wis., 2,303. 40, Maria José Rodriguez, Colombia, 2,299. 41, Hope Gramly (n), Aubrey, Texas, 2,297. 42, Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 2,294. 43, Shannon Sellens (n), Long Beach, N.Y., 2,293. 44, Gazmine Mason, Cranston, R.I., 2,284. 45, Annalise O'Bryant (n), Ball Ground, Ga., 2,280. 46, Samantha Kriner, Houston, Texas, 2,273. 47, Sandra Gongora, Mexico, 2,264. 48(tie), Marissa Allison, Sylvania, Ohio, and Allie Leiendecker (n), Ruston, La., 2,263. 50, Erin McCarthy, Elkhorn, Neb., 2,261. 51, Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 2,251. 52(tie), Kaylene Bishop, Medical Lake, Wash., and Olivia Farwell, Elizabethtown, Pa., 2,242. 54, Kayla Bandy, Wichita, Kan., 2,236. 55, Amanda Broege (n), Ronkonkoma, N.Y., 2,224. 56, Jasmine Snell (n), Papillion, Neb., 2,220. 57, Josie Barnes, Hermitage, Tenn., 2,209. 58(tie), Liz Kuhlkin, Schenectady, N.Y., Keondra Eaton (n), Baton Rouge, La., and Tannya Lopez, Mexico, 2,208. 61, Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 2,204. 62, Melanie McDaniel, Joliet, Ill., 2,191. 63, Kasey Eaton (n), Wyoming, Mich., 2,182. 64(tie), Mary Orf (n), St. Louis, and Julia Bond, Aurora, Ill., 2,175. 66, Summer Jasmin, Beckley, W.Va., 2,170. 67, Patricia Rosales (n), Orlando, Fla., 2,169. 68, Jennifer Hocurscak, Orange, Conn., 2,166. 69, Edith Quintanilla (n), El Salvador, 2,159. 70, Maria Bulanova, Russia, 2,150. 71, Emma Grace Dockery (n), Kent, Ohio, 2,145. 72, Jennifer Russo, Monmouth Junction, N.J., 2,144. 73, Sofia Rodriguez Granda (n), Guatemala, 2,140. 74, Heather D'Errico, Rochester, N.Y., 2,139. 75, Mallory Clark, Auburn, Maine, 2,136. 76, Kelsi Anderson (n), San Antonio, 2,130. 77, Mari Gallegos (n), Chicago, 2,113. 78, Bella Castillo (n), Odessa, Texas, 2,107. 79, Amber Brunson (n), Miami, Fla., 2,010. 80, Adrienne Kissane, Anderson, Ind., 2,005. 81, Nicole Loeffler (n), Sedwick, Kan., 1,954. 82, Cassandra Bayerl (n), Burleson, Texas, 1,878. 83, Lisa Timm, Auburn, Ill., 1,829.
Syracuse Mets Announce Major Change to “The Place You Used to go to Work Night” Kate Flannery will replace Leslie David Baker in appearance at NBT Bank Stadium, 8/12 SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets will host “The Place You Used to go to Work” Night, presented by Visions Federal Credit Union, at NBT Bank Stadium on Friday, August 12th. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Leslie David Baker, who plays Stanley on “The Office,” is no longer able to appear to take photos & sign autographs for fans. So, the Syracuse Mets are going to the bullpen and are bring in a star reliever, Kate Flannery, who played Meredith, on “The Office, one of the most popular TV sitcoms of all time. Fans can purchase an Amazin’ Experience Package to guarantee a chance to get a photo or autograph with Kate Flannery: www.milb.com/syracuse/events/kate-flannery. Fans that do not purchase a package in advance may not have a chance to get an autograph or photo. Amazin’ VIP Experience Package ($75.00, 75 available) – limited availability left – VIP’s will be invited to join Kate Flannery in the Metropolitan Club from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a special meet & greet & guaranteed photo. Happy hour specials & a buffet meal will be available in the Metropolitan Club for VIPs only. The package includes a ticket to the Metropolitan Club for the game that day, and fans with this package will be able to enjoy the Syracuse Mets game from the Metropolitan Club for the entire game. Amazin’ Front of the Line Photo Experience Package ($43.00/$41.00, 20 available) – SOLD OUT - The Front of the Line package will allow 20 fans to skip the line & get their photo with Kate Flannery first! Photos will take place on the lower concourse underneath the Metropolitan Club starting at 7 p.m. The package includes a ticket to the game that day, $43 for a 100-level ticket package, $41 for a 200-level ticket package. Amazin’ Photo Experience Package ($33.00/$31.00, 100 available) – The Photo Experience Package guarantees fans a chance to take their photo with Kate Flannery. Photos will take place on the lower concourse underneath the Metropolitan Club and will begin after all Front of the Line Photo package holders have taken their pictures. The package includes a ticket to the game that day, $33 for a 100-level ticket package, $31 for a 200-level ticket package. Day-of-Game Photo Option ($15.00) – Fans can pay $15.00 on the day of the game to have their photo taken with Kate Flannery, after all fans with Amazin’ Experience Packages have had the chance to get their photos. This option will be available to fans on a first come, first served basis & there is no guarantee of a photo. Fans will be called in “groups” and when each individual group is called, they will then be guaranteed a photo and will be charged at that time. All ticket packages purchased for Leslie David Baker are good for Kate Flannery. Fans that purchased the Amazin’ Experience Packages will be contacted by the Syracuse Mets Ticket Office with more information. The Syracuse Mets will be playing the Buffalo Bison at 6:35 PM that night, gates open at 5:30. In addition to an appearance by Kate Flannery, there will be post-game fireworks presented by Visions Federal Credit Union. All Fridays are Craft Beer and Fireworks Fridays, and fans can purchase a special Craft Beer Friday ticket package, starting at $25, that includes (2) vouchers for craft beers at the Hops Spot at NBT Bank Stadium and a ticket to the game. Craft Beer Friday is presented by the Hop Spot in Armory Square and 93Q. Tickets for all Syracuse Mets home games can be purchased at the Onondaga Coach Ticket Office at NBT Bank Stadium during regular hours (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), over the phone 315-474-7833 x1 or online anytime at syracusmets.com. For more information, please contact Michael Tricarico at 315-474-7833 or mtricarico@syracusemets.com.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Lehigh Valley wins Tuesday afternoon matinee over Syracuse, 13-6 Allentown, PA – The Syracuse Mets began their week on the road at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs with a thud, losing, 13-6, in the opener of a six-game series. The IronPigs have now won seven of the 13 games they have played against the Mets so far this season. Early on, it looked like it may be Syracuse’s (45-55) day as the Mets got off to a good start in the first. Kramer Robertson walked to start the game, moved up to second on a groundout, sprinted to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball with Daniel Palka at the plate. Syracuse restarted the rally from there. Palka singled, followed by a two-out single from Nick Plummer that put runners on first and second. Gosuke Katoh then sliced a single into left field, and the Mets got aggressive, sending Palka around third to try and score the frame’s second run. A great throw from Chris Sharpe in left field nabbed Palka at the plate and ended the inning right then and there. After that, it was all Lehigh Valley (55-45). The IronPigs scored the game’s next 13 runs to win by a wide margin. In the bottom of the first, Lehigh Valley scored twice to take a lead that they would never relinquish. After Jean Segura grounded out to start the inning, Dalton Guthrie and Donny Sands both walked to put runners on first and second with one out. An RBI double from Johan Camargo plated Guthrie, followed by a passed ball later in the frame that allowed Sands to come home and give the IronPigs a 2-1 lead. It remained a 2-1 game until the bottom of the fourth, when Lehigh Valley blew it wide open. The home team scored six runs on six hits in the fateful frame, sending ten batters to the plate as they all but clinched the victory. Segura, Gurthrie, Sands, Camargo, and Nick Maton all drove in runs in the inning as Lehigh Valley took a 7-1 advantage. Sands finished the game with two runs scored and three runs driven in. Lehigh Valley tacked on another run in the ballgame game in the bottom of the fifth. Chris Sharpe started the inning with a single, advanced to second on a balk, and scored on a RBI single from Rafael Marchan. Marchan would finish the afternoon with a brilliant stat line, going 3-for-3 with three singles, a walk, a run driven in, and two runs scored. The IronPigs finished their carousel of scoring with four more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on three more hits. Sands, Camargo, and Jorge Bonifacio provided the run-producing hits. Chris Sharpe also had a bases-loaded walk to bring home another run. Lehigh Valley drew eight walks by the end of the ballgame. It was a truly balanced attack for the IronPigs on Tuesday afternoon. All nine of their starters reached base at least once, all but one starter reached base at least twice, all but one starter had at least one hit, and seven different players scored runs. Four different players also scored at least two runs in the game. Syracuse, to their credit, would not go away. The Mets scored the game’s final five runs in the top of the ninth inning. With two outs and nobody on base, Tzu-Wei Lin walked, advanced to second on a Francisco Álvarez single, and scored on a soft single into shallow left field by Daniel Palka. Consecutive walks by Mark Vientos and Nick Plummer scored Álvarez, followed by a three-run double from Gosuke Katoh that cleared the bases and made it 13-6. Katoh finished the afternoon 3-for-5 at the plate. The flickering flame of an all-time comeback for the Mets was alive, but it was officially extinguished when Khalil Lee struck out and ended the game. Syracuse continues its six-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Wednesday evening. Right-hander Trevor Cahill is slated to start for the Mets, opposed by left-hander Michael Plassmeyer for the IronPigs. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.