SYRACUSE LOSES 9-7 AT ROCHESTER

Rymer Liriano watches a ball he hit leave the ballpark in the second inning for a home run on Monday night (James Farrance).

Rochester, NY (July 1, 2019) - The Syracuse Mets had a four-run lead on Monday night against the Rochester Red Wings, but Rochester came back to beat Syracuse, 9-7, at Frontier Field. The teams combined for 29 hits as every Mets player in the lineup reached base.

Syracuse (40-43) jumped out to an early lead. Arismendy Alcantara hit a solo home run with one out in the first inning to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Then after singles from Ruben Tejada and Danny Espinosa, René Rivera hit a ground ball to short, enough to score Tejada and push the lead to 2-0.

The Mets added another long ball in the second. Rymer Liriano belted his fourth home run of the year to left-center field for a 3-0 advantage.

Rochester (40-41) scored its first runs in the bottom of the second. Zander Wiel singled with one out, and after a groundout, Jordany Valdespin singled to right to score Wiel for a 3-1 game. Tomas Telis then reached on an error on Tejada at second, and Valdespin moved to third. Then, Syracuse starter Corey Oswalt threw a wild pitch, scoring Valdespin to cut the Syracuse lead to one, 3-2.

The Mets got both runs back in the fifth. Tejada walked, and then back-to-back RBI doubles by Espinosa and Rivera on back-to-back pitches extended the lead to three, 5-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Telis doubled, and Nick Gordon singled a batter later to make it a 5-3 ballgame.

Both clubs added two more runs in the sixth. Starting in the top of the frame, Liriano walked leading off. Three batters later, Alcantara drove in his second run of the game with a double to left. Tejada followed with an RBI single to push the lead to four, 7-3.

The Red Wings also scored two runs in the sixth with two outs. Telis started a string of extra-base hits with a double. Gordon then doubled home Telis, and Drew Maggi tripled home Gordon to bring the score to 7-5.

In the seventh, Brent Rooker singled. Rooker moved to second on a throwing error on Tyler Bashlor, and three batters later, Jaylin Davis doubled to center to bring the Wings within one, 7-6.

Rochester completed the comeback in the eighth. Telis singled to start the inning. After the Mets retired the next two batters, Jake Cave
singled to left to score Telis and tie the game at seven. Brent Rooker followed and hit a two-run home run to give the Red Wings the winning margin of 9-7.

The Mets and and Red Wings continue their three-game series on Tuesday night. RHP Ervin Santana will be on the mound for Syracuse against Rochester LHP Devin Smeltzer. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Good to be Home

Renegades Start Homestand With Win Over Cyclones

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY—The Hudson Valley Renegades got solid production at the turn of their lineup, and a strong performance from their bullpen in a 3-2 win over the Brooklyn Cyclones Monday night in front of 3,327 fans at Dutchess Stadium.  The contest kicked off a five-game in six-day homestand for the Renegades.

Hudson Valley used A-B-C baseball to get on the board in the first.  Leadoff hitter Greg Jones grounded a single into right before stealing second.  After moving to third on a groundout, Jones scored when rightfielder Beau Brundage grounded to second for his first professional RBI.

Jones would use his lightning speed again to double-up the lead in the third.  With one out, the designated hitter grounded another single to right.  Centerfielder Garrett Hiott stood in next and rifled a double down the leftfield line.  Jones motored around from first and Hudson Valley owned a 2-0 lead.

Brooklyn had a couple of chances to get on the board but came up empty.  In the third, they put runners at first and second with one out, however Hudson Valley starter Daiveyon Whittle got a popup and line out to end the threat.  In the fourth, the Cyclones loaded the bases with two out, but Whittle got another pop out to short from Brooklyn catcher Jake Ortega to end the inning.

The Renegades added a run in the fourth.  With two out and nobody on base, Cyclones starter Jaison Vilera yielded back-to-back walks.  Shortstop Nick Sogard come to the plate next and lined a single to center to score the lead runner from second and give the Renegades a 3-0 lead.

Brooklyn came back by scoring two unearned runs in the fifth.  Centerfielder Jake Mangum started the inning by striking out on a pitch in the dirt.  Hudson Valley catcher Jordyn Muffley threw to first to try and complete the putout, but his throw was wide of the bag and Mangum reached on the throwing error.  After Mangum moved to second on a groundout, third baseman Sam Haggerty brought him home on a resounding double to center.  Two batters later, second baseman Luke Ritter lined a two-out RBI single to center to score Haggerty and bring the Cyclones to within one.

However, that was as close as Brooklyn got.  Following Ritter’s single, the Renegades went to their bullpen and reliever Joe LaSorsa shined getting designated hitter Zach Ashford to fly to left to end the inning.  That was the start of a 3.1 inning shutout performance by the southpaw, which carried Hudson Valley through the eighth.  After that, closer Shay Smiddy tossed a scoreless ninth in his professional debut for the save.  The Cyclones had only two more baserunners once LaSorsa entered the game.  The Katonah, NY native allowed only one hit and got the win to move to 2-0.

The loss fell to Valeria (1-2) for Brooklyn after he allowed three runs on six hits over six innings.  He righty also walked three and struck out one. Whittle was also strong in his start for Hudson Valley as he allowed two unearned runs on five hits in 4.2 innings, coming within one out of qualifying for the win.

Hudson Valley collected seven hits in the game, including two hits apiece from their 9-1-2 hitters Sogard, Jones and Hiott.  Sogard went 2-3 with two singles and an RBI.  Jones singled twice, scored twice and stole a base, while Hiott doubled and drove in a run. 

The Renegades continue their three-game set against the Cyclones tomorrow in a 7:05 start.  Hudson Valley will send right-hander Zack Trageton (2-1, 2.40 ERA) to the hill against fellow righty Daison Acosta (0-0, 1.35 ERA) for Brooklyn.  Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com, in person at the Dutchess Stadium ticket window, or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!! DISCOUNTED TICKETS TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY! Click Here to Purchase CLAM BAKE IS BACK FOR 2019! We are #HappyAsAClam because the Clam Bake is back at The Dutch!  Join us July 3rd for a picnic, a game versus the Cyclones and post-game Independence Day Fireworks! Purchase Tickets Here! (Limited Tickets Remaining!) JULY GENERAL ADMISSIONS PASS! Admissions to all 16 home July games for just $49! Purchase Here!

Hudson Valley Renegades | 845-838-0094 | info@hvrenegades.com | hvrenegades.com

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RAILRIDERS GAME REPORT

Lehigh Valley  10  -  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre  7

IronPigs break tie in the bottom of the 7^th inning with four runs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALLENTOWN, PA (June 30, 2019) – Logan Morrison delivered another big swing for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Sunday afternoon, but it was a decisive four-run bottom of the seventh inning for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs that was the difference in a 10-7 win for the ‘Pigs.
The RailRiders plated a run in the first inning but saw Lehigh Valley tie it with a solo home run by Nick Williams in the second inning, and the game was 1-1 entering the fourth inning.
The fourth featured an RBI infield single from a speedy version of Mike Ford who beat the throw from second baseman Ali Castillo in shallow right-centerfield. The hustle allowed Erik Kratz to blaze his way home from second base before the defense could react to throw out the blur at the plate. Following a hit by pitch to Breyvic Valera, Tyler Wade singled home both Ford and Valera for a 4-1 lead.
Lehigh Valley immediately jumped ahead by plating four runs in the bottom of the inning, and with a run in the fifth it was a 6-4 IronPigs lead. The score remained the same entering the seventh to set up Morrison’s heroics, but that swing was quickly overshadowed by the resilient ‘Pigs offense in the bottom of the inning to open up a 10-6 lead en route to a 10-7 victory.
The RailRiders pile on the bus and head north to the Ocean State to take on the Pawtucket Red Sox beginning Monday night with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. LHP Daniel Camarena (2-3, 6.71) is expected to take on RHP Erasmo Ramirez (2-4, 4.85) in the first of three games in the Yankees-Red Sox Triple-A rivalry. The RailRiders return to PNC Field Thursday, July 4 for the annual Independence Day game with incredible postgame fireworks. For tickets and more information, call (570) 969-BALL or slide to www.swbrailriders.com/tickets

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Record:

46-35

SYRACUSE BEATS BUFFALO 10-4

Buffalo, NY (June 30, 2019) - René Rivera hit three home runs as the Syracuse Mets erupted on offense for a 10-4 win against the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday afternoon at Sahlen Field. The Mets tied a season high with five home runs in the game.

Syracuse (40-42) jumped out to the lead with a five-run first inning. Luis Guillorme and Rubén Tejada each singled with one out. Then after a fly out, Danny Espinosa lined a two-run double to left-center field to score Guillorme and Tejada for a 2-0 lead. Rivera followed with a two-run home run, his second day in a row with a home run, giving the Mets a 4-0 advantage. Travis Taijeron then hit a home run of his own to left field to push the lead to 5-0.

The home runs continued over the next two innings. In the second, Guillorme added a sixth run with a solo homer on a line drive over the left-field fence. Then in the third, Rivera added his second long ball of the day to left-center to extend the lead to 7-0.

Buffalo (42-39) finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. Jordan Patterson was hit by a pitch, and Andy Burns reached on a throwing error by Tejada at third. Michael De La Cruz followed with an infield single that scored Patterson to make it a 7-1 ballgame.

The Herd posted a three-spot in the fifth. Roemon Fields and Bo Bichette both singled to begin the inning, putting runners on first and third. Socrates Brito then grounded out to the right side, scoring Fields to trim the Syracuse lead to five, 7-2. Two batters later, Billy McKinney hit a two-run home run to bring the Bisons within three, 7-4. 

The Mets got one run back in the sixth. Tim Tebow doubled for his third extra base hit in his last four games. Then after a Colton Plaia double and Gregor Blanco walk loaded the bases, Luis Guillorme hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 8-4.

Syracuse added a run in the eighth. With the bases loaded and one out, Espinosa hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Guillorme from third to give Syracuse a 9-4 edge.

The Mets put the exclamation point on the game in the ninth. Rivera led off the frame with his third home run of the day, putting Syracuse up by six, 10-4.

Syracuse continues its six-day road trip with the first game of a three-game series against the Rochester Red Wings on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Ponies Comeback Falls Short against Curve in Series Finale

Altoona, PA – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies fell to the Altoona Curve 8-5 in the rubber game of a five-game series Sunday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Altoona’s six-run fourth inning highlighted by a grand slam from Curve left fielder Chris Sharpe proved to be too much for the Ponies to overcome.

The Rumble Ponies made a valiant comeback with a Jason Krizan 3-run double in the eighth that pulled them to within 7-5. Down 8-5 in the ninth, they brought the tying run to the plate before Quinn Brodey grounded into a force out to end the game.

Altoona had three homers on the evening including a solo homer from Jared Oliva in the third, Sharpe’s 2-out grand slam in the fourth, and a solo homer from Arden Pabst to lead off the eighth. Austin McGeorge (0-3) was charged with six runs, only one earned, over three and two thirds as he took the loss in his second start of the season.

The Rumble Ponies got on the board first in every game of the series. Sunday night it was Barrett Barnes who had a long two-run homer in the first to left that put Binghamton up 2-0 against Altoona all-star starter James Marvel. Barnes for the series hit .333 (6-18) with three homers and seven RBI.

Marvel (9-5) though held the Ponies in check after Barnes went yard. He allowed just three hits and two runs over seven innings for his Eastern League best ninth win of the year.

The Rumble Ponies continue their eight-game road trip Monday night against the Erie SeaWolves. First pitch is at 7:05PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show begins at 6:50PM.

POSTGAME NOTES: Altoona wins this five-game series over four days 3-2 and the season series 6-4…Barnes now has a team-leading nine homers along with 42 RBI (second on team) for the season.

DONALD ROSS CLASSIC PREVIEW

FRENCH LICK, Ind. — The 14th stop on the 2019 “Road to the LPGA” takes the Symetra Tour to the Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort in the Hoosier State for the third annual Donald Ross Classic from July 11-13.

“A beautiful Donald Ross-designed track will provide a stern test for our players,” said Mike Nichols, the Chief Business Officer of the Symetra Tour. “French Lick Resort has been an outstanding host since they first welcomed us three years ago and we are grateful for their support of women’s professional golf, both the Donald Ross Classic and Senior LPGA Championship in October.”

Greeting the 144-player field in French Lick, Ind. is a total purse of $225,000. Individuals are set to compete in a 54-hole stroke play format with a cut to the low 60 players and ties after 36 holes. The winner’s share for the event is $33,750. 

“We are thrilled to feature the next wave of LPGA Tour stars in southern Indiana,” said Dave Harner, the Director of Golf for the Donald Ross Course and tournament director. “The staff and grounds crew have everything in top shape for the event. With the third largest purse on the Symetra Tour and great course conditions, it is sure to be a fantastic week in French Lick.”

Defending champion Stephanie Kono (Honolulu, Hawaii) is not among the competitors, as she finished tied for 39th at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series to earn Priority List Category 14 status for the 2019 LPGA Tour season. The victory was one of seven top-20 results for Kono last season.  

“Getting my first win as a professional at the Donald Ross Classic was so surreal and something I will never forget,” Kono said. “To add to the feeling was the outpouring of support from the French Lick community, which really made it extra special. I want to wish the field the best of luck and make sure to get your walking shoes on with those hills of the Donald Ross Course.”

Action gets underway at 7:30 a.m. ET all three days with play starting off No. 1 and No. 10 tees in the first and second round. Meanwhile, all groups will head off No. 1 tee in twosomes for the final round with a trophy presentation to follow on No. 18 green.

ABOUT SYMETRA TOUR

The Symetra Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 39th competitive season in 2019. With the support of its entitlement partner Symetra, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. Since Symetra’s inaugural sponsorship year in 2012, the Symetra Tour has grown from 16 tournaments and $1.7 million in prize money to $4.0 million in prize money awarded over the course of 24 events. With more than 600 alumnae moving on to the LPGA, former Symetra Tour players have won a total of 437 LPGA titles. Follow the Symetra Tour on the web at www.SymetraTour.com, Facebook.com/Road2LPGA, Twitter.com/Road2LPGA, and YouTube.com/Road2LPGA.

ABOUT SYMETRA 

Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions and independent agents and advisors. Symetra began its partnership with the Road to the LPGA in 2010 as the title sponsor of the Symetra Classic. It secured naming rights for the Symetra Tour in November 2011. In addition to its title sponsorship of the Tour, which runs through 2021, Symetra sponsors two events on the tournament schedule—the Symetra Classic and the season-ending Symetra Tour Championship. For more information about Symetra, visit www.symetra.com.