Syracuse Game Recap: Mets offense powers Syracuse to pivotal, 8-3 series-opening win over Lehigh Valley on Tuesday

Brett Baty had three hits on Tuesday night, including a two-run home run (Kylie Richelle).


Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets got another boost in their attempt to chase down first place in the International League, scoring the final six runs in a comeback, 8-3 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on a cool night for baseball in mid-June at NBT Bank Stadium. The Mets entered the week just 4.5 games back of first-place Omaha with two weeks remaining in the first half of the International League season. The winner of the league after the first half is guaranteed a playoff spot.
 
Syracuse (39-24) got on the board in the bottom of the first via a very familiar way. A two-run homer from Brett Baty jolted the Mets out to a 2-0 lead after one inning. Baty, who did not play with Syracuse last week and instead traveled to London with the New York Mets, now has three home runs in his last two games with the Syracuse Mets.
 
After going scoreless in the first three innings, Lehigh Valley (27-35) roared right back to tie the game in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back solo home runs with one out from Símon Muzziotti and Aramis Garcia knotted the game up, 2-2, in the blink of an eye.
 
In the top of the fifth, the IronPigs did it again. A solo blast with one out from Ruben Cardenas pushed the Pigs in front for the first time, 3-2.
 
Blade Tidwell gave up all the home runs. The highly-touted Syracuse starter would exit the game after four and two-thirds innings, allowing four total hits (including the three different solo home runs) with four walks and three strikeouts. Tidwell's ultimate problem was lack of command as just 47 of his 91 pitches were for strikes.
 
From there, it was all Syracuse as the Mets scored the final six runs of the game to roar back and grab an 8-3 win over the IronPigs. In the sixth, the Mets took the lead for good with four fateful runs. First, Syracuse tied the game when Lehigh Valley's reliever, Zac Houston, completely lost command of the strike zone. Houston threw 21 pitches, only five of which were strikes. The right-hander walked three batters and hit a batter to make it a tie game, 3-3, and necessitate Houston's removal from the game. From there, a Rylan Bannon two-run single put the Mets in front, 5-3, and a Baty RBI single gave Syracuse a 6-3 edge. Baty finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs driven in.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Hayden Senger capped off the scoring with a two-run home run, continuing a truly remarkable run recently for the Mets catcher. Senger now has six extra-base hits in his last three games, including home runs in back-to-back games.
 
The Syracuse bullpen then shut the door again. Matt Festa, Max Kranick, and Cole Sulser tossed the final four and one-third innings in scoreless fashion, allowing just one hit with two walks and three strikeouts. Just one of the final 14 IronPigs batters reached base against the rock-solid Syracuse bullpen.
 
Syracuse continues its 12-game homestand with the second game of a six-game series against Lehigh Valley on Wednesday morning. Right-hander Christian Scott is slated to start on the mound for the Mets opposite right-hander Ricardo Pinto for the IronPigs. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.


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