Photo by James Farrance Photography
The Syracuse Mets (7-7) are likely happy they are returning home after their first rough road trip of the year. After three out of four to Pawtucket, the Mets traveled to Rochester looking to rebound from the Pawtucket series. It turned out to be much of the same.
After a rainout on April 15, the Mets and Red Wings played a doubleheader on April 16. Doubleheader games in Triple-A are seven inning games. Ryan O’Rourke started the makeup game throwing three scoreless innings. O’Rourke has rebounded from a rough start to the year and currently has a streak of six scoreless innings. Corey Taylor (2-0) earned his second win of the year after tossing two scoreless innings. Arquimedes Caminero closed out the game to earn his third save on the year.
Gregor Blanco got the scoring started with a triple in the top of the third inning scoring Tim Tebow. Danny Espinosa knocked in Blanco with a single to left field. Both runs in the third inning came with two outs in the inning. Adeiny Hechavarria added an extra run in the top of the fifth inning scoring Rene Rivera on a sacrifice fly. Travis Taijeron displayed some speed by stealing his first base on the season, as well.
Hector Santiago started the originally scheduled game on April 16. Santiago pitched five innings giving up two earned runs and striking out six. Santiago wasn’t part of the decision. Tim Peterson (0-1) pitched sixth innings and gave up the game-winning solo home run to Zander Wiel.
The trend for the Mets continued in Rochester. Fall behind and storm back to tie. That was the case in game two. After trailing by two runs entering the sixth inning, the Mets tied the game following a two-run home run by Dilson Herrera off of Justin Nicolino. The Mets left 16 baserunners stranded in the seven inning game.
Photo by James Farrance Photography
Chris Mazza started the final game of the series pitching six innings giving up three earned runs and striking out three. Mazza didn’t factor in the decision. Daniel Zamora pitched 1 1/3 scoreless and struck out three batters. Eric Hanhold pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up the game winning solo home run to Wilin Rosario in the eighth inning.
After five innings of the play, the Mets found themselves down 4-0 to the Red Wings. Travis Taijeron hit his fourth home run of the year in the sixth inning scoring Adeiny Hechavarria to bring the Mets within two runs. Hechavarria scored Gregor Blanco with an RBI single in the seventh inning. David Thompson tied the game in the eighth inning following a solo home run.
Despite the lackluster results on the road trip, there is still plenty to be excited about for this team. The Syracuse Mets show heart. Despite trailing in many games this year, the Mets continue to fight back each game and often times tie the game. In over half their games thus far, the Mets have not scored the first run of the game. If the bats can get going a earlier in the game, the Mets pitching shouldn’t hold the team back from having a successful season.
During the road trip, Drew Gagnon was called up to the New York Mets on April 15 only to be optioned back to Syracuse on April 17. Jacob Rhame was called up to the New York Mets on April 17. Paul Sewald was called up to the New York Mets on April 14. Luis Gillorme was optioned to Syracuse on April 15h.
The Mets finished their road trip managing to compile a record of 2-5. After starting the season 5-2, the Mets return to Syracuse with a record of 7-7. They play Pawtucket in a three game series starting April 19 to April 21. The Mets will then play Buffalo for the first time this season starting April 22 to April 25 in a four game series.
Photo by James Farrance Photography
Notable Performances During Series
Dilson Herrera: 2- for-9, 1 HR, 2 RBIs
Adeiny Hechavarria: 4-for-10, 2 RBIs
Travis Taijeron: 2-for-9, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 1 SB
Hector Santiago: 5IP, 2ER, 6K
Ryan O’Rourke, 3IP, 0ER, 2K
Corey Taylor 1W, 2IP, 0ER, 2K
Daniel Zamora: 1 1/3, 0ER, 3K
Travis Taijeron Season Stats
HR: 4
RBI: 9 (tied with Herrera for team lead)
TB: 25
OPS: 1.062
SLG .658
AVG: .263
R: 9
