The Syracuse Mets opened their season against the Rochester Red Wings, The Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate, sending Joey Lucchesi to the mound to face off against Joan Adon.

Joey Lucchesi took the mound and started off with a bang, striking out two of the three hitters he faced in the first inning, including Nationals top prospect James Wood.

Lucchesi would run into some trouble in the fourth inning, walking a hitter and then a run would score on a fielding error by Trayce Thompson. Lucchesi would give way to Reed Garrett, who would strike out four over two innings, allowing one hit.

Grant Hartwig came out and pitched an inning where he allowed a single, a double to James Wood and Juan Yepez grounded out to plate the Red Wings second run of the game.

Yacksel Rios finished off the game allowing a run on three hits while striking out two.

In a good sight, two of the Met’s top prospects, Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña, batted one and two, respectively, with Mark Vientos batting fourth. Syracuse opened up the scoring in the second inning after drawing two walks and a single allowed Austin Allen to hit a sacrifice fly. Two more runs would come across when Luisangel Acuña reached on a fielding error. Jose Iglesias would hit an RBI single in the third, scoring Mark Vientos, who reached base on a five-pitch walk.

Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña go back-to-back for the @SyracuseMets on Triple-A Opening Day!
pic.twitter.com/phVtUqtbPZ

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) March 29, 2024

In the bottom of the fourth, Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats off of former Met Robert Gsellman, putting Syracuse ahead 6-1. That would be the last time the Syracuse Mets would score, but it would prove to be more than enough.

Joey Lucchesi had a great first outing overall, only allowing two hits and one unearned run, while walking one and striking out five. Expected to serve as starting pitching depth, it is good to see the veteran be able to anchor a staff that features three Mets prospects in Mike Vasil, Dominic Hamel and Christian Scott.

The Syracuse offense worked all game, drawing walks, keeping strikeouts to a minimum, and making contact, forcing the Red Wings to use five pitchers on the night. In addition to his home run, Drew Gilbert was hit by a pitch.

BOX SCORE

Hitters

CF Drew Gilbert 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 K, HBP
2B Luisangel Acuña 1-for-5, R, HR, RBI, K
3B Mark Vientos – 0-for-3, R, BB
SS Jose Iglesias – 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB

Pitchers

LHP Joey Lucchesi – 5 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K
RHP Reed Garrett – 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 4 K
RHP Grant Hartwig – 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H
RHP Yacksel Rios – 1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Drew Gilbert started the season off with a bang, reaching base in his first two plate appearances, including the leadoff home run in the fourth inning. Gilbert has a very promising blend of sneaky power, good defensive ability at all three outfield positions and plays hard every game. It will be exciting to see how he refines his best skills in Triple-A and how long it will take the Mets to call him up to the big leagues

ON DECK

The Syracuse Mets (1-0) will continue their series against the Red Wings (0-1) at 1:05 P.M. Starting pitchers have yet to be announced for the game.