Syracuse splits Friday doubleheader with Buffalo

Buffalo, NY – After dropping the first game of a doubleheader, 5-1, the Syracuse Mets turned it around to beat the Buffalo Bisons, 7-1, in game two on Friday night at Sahlen Field.

In the first game, Buffalo (55-77, 25-34) scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning, headlined by a three-run homer by RJ Schreck, putting the Bisons on top, 4-0.

Syracuse (69-67, 38-23) responded with just one run in the top of the fourth. Kevin Parada reached on an error and later scored on an RBI single by Luke Ritter, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

The Bisons quickly got that run back with an RBI single by Buddy Kennedy in the bottom of the fourth, growing their lead to 5-1.

Although the deficit was too much to overcome, a pair of relievers threw scoreless innings for the Mets. Alex Carrillo pitched the fifth without allowing a baserunner, striking out two, and Huascar Brazobán tossed a clean sixth while also fanning a pair.

Syracuse turned the offense around in the second half of the doubleheader. After three scoreless frames to start, the Mets offense woke up in the top of the fourth inning. To lead off, Jett Williams walked, Carson Benge singled, and Ryan Clifford ripped an RBI single to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead. Next, Jose Azocar hit an RBI double, and Kevin Parada hit a sacrifice fly, stretching the lead to 3-0. After a single by Yonny Hernandez and three consecutive walks by Luke Ritter, Gilberto Celestino, and Onix Vega, the lead ballooned to 5-0. For good measure, Williams brought home another run on a sacrifice fly and extended the advantage to 6-0.

The Mets added one more run in the fifth when Azocar singled, and Parada smacked an RBI double to make it 7-0.

Buffalo got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when Josh Rivera grounded into a double play, scoring Yohendrick Piñango, cutting into the lead, 7-1.

Syracuse' bullpen was outstanding in game two. Dom Hamel got the start, pitching two scoreless innings. Ty Adcock followed with a one-two-three third inning, and Austin Warren only allowed one run through the next two frames. To end it, Dylan Ross struck out three in the sixth, and Douglas Orellana shut the door in the seventh.

Syracuse continues its six-game series with Buffalo on Saturday afternoon. Left-hander Brandon Waddell is slated to start for the Mets, and right-hander Alek Manoah is set to go for the Bisons with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.