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Syracuse Stumbles In Pawtucket

By Bob Colling

April 15, 2019 No comments

Photo by James Farrance Photography

The first road series for the 2019 season didn’t end well for the Syracuse Mets. Syracuse had won five of their first seven games entering the series against Pawtucket. They leave Pawtucket managing only one win in a four games series and head to Rochester with a record of six wins and five losses (6-5).

Casey Coleman (0-1) started game one of the series, and was able to get through five innings. Coleman’s mistakes came in the bottom of the second inning in the form of back-to-back solo home runs. Coleman gave up one other hit and struck out four in his outing. Eric Hanhold pitched two innings and gave up the third run, which ended up being the deciding run. Arquimedes Caminero pitched a scoreless ninth.

Offensively, the Mets couldn’t get much going. The team as a total only managed five hits and none of them were for extra-bases. The eighth inning was the first time all game the Mets had more than one baserunner in an inning. Carlos Gomez, Danny Espinosa, and Adeiny Hechavarria collected hits. Tomas Nido, who was on the New York Mets to start the season, collected two hits. Espinosa and Gregor Blanco were the source of the two runs scored. Blanco reached based on a fielding error.

Former New York Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia recorded a four out save to preserve the victory for Pawtucket.

Game two of the series turned out to be the only game the Mets were able to win in the series. Drew Gagnon (1-0) earned his first win of the season after going 5 1/3 innings that saw six hits given up and one earned run. Gagnon struck out three hitters. Bashlor, Zamora, Rhame and Tim Peterson finished off the game. Peterson earns his first save of the year for the Syracuse Mets.

Early into the game, the Mets had two baserunners to start the third inning, but weren’t able to cash in. The following inning, Travis Taijeron crushed a two-run home run. Rajai Davis continues to showcase his speed by stealing his third base on the season despite the throw beating him to the bag. Davis also hit his first home run of the 2019 season in the eight inning.

Chris Flexen (1-1) started game three of the series. Flexen pitched six innings, gave up six hits and five earned runs. Flexen struck out ten hitters, which is a season high for any Mets started this season. Paul Sewald gave up two hits in his one inning appearance. Corey Taylor struggled in his one inning appearance, giving up four hits and two earned runs.

After tying the game in the fifth inning, the Mets began the sixth inning down 5-1. Travis Taijeron continues his power surge being the lone source of runs with two solo home runs coming in the fifth and seventh innings. Taijeron also had a double in the ninth inning to finish off a three hit night.

Zach Lee (0-0) started game four of the series. Lee went 4.2 innings giving up four hits and one earned run. Lee’s command was an issue giving up four walks and striking out three. Lee finished the evening throwing 87 pitches and wasn’t able to give the Mets enough innings. Tyler Bashlor (0-1) got credited with the loss after giving up three runs in 1.1 innings. Eric Hanhold and Jacob Rhame pitched two scoreless innings, but it wasn’t enough for the Mets to even the series.

Game four was the best outing for the team offensively as they scored four runs on eight hits. Carlos Gomez had his best game as a member of the Syracuse Mets getting two hits, including his first home run, a two-run shot in the seventh inning to get the Mets within one run.

Tim Tebow had one hit in three at-bats, driving in a run with a single in the second inning. Dilson Herrera scored Gomez on a third inning double. Adeiny Hehavarria had a two hit performance with two doubles.

Notable Player Performances During Series
SP: Drew Gagnon: 1W, 5.1 IP, 6H, 1ER, 3K
RP: Tim Peterson: 1G, 1SV,
1B: Travis Taijeron: 4 for 11, 3HR, 4RBI
OF: Carlos Gomez: 3 for 16, 1HR,
OF: Rajai Davis: 2 for 11, 1HR, 1SB
OF: Tim Tebow: 2 for 9

Offensive Team Leaders as of 4/14: (eligible due to at-bats)
BA: .300 – Dilson Herrera
H: 10 – Adeiny Hechavarria
HR: 3 – Travis Taijeron
RBI: 7, three players tied. Taijeron, Herrera and David Thompson
SB: 3 – Rajai Davis
SO: 13 – Tebow & Taijeron
TB: 20 – Taijeron

Syracuse is currently in fourth place in the IL North, 2.5 games behind Leigh Valley. Their road trip continues against last place Rochester (2-8) April 15 – April 17.