Syracuse, NY – Late offense by the Buffalo Bisons proved to be the difference, as the Syracuse Mets fell, 4-2, on Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
Buffalo (24-25) jumped out in front in the top of the first inning. Carlos Mendoza and RJ Schreck both walked before Willie MacIver lined a two-run double to right field, giving the Bisons a 2-0 lead.
Syracuse (26-22) answered in the second. Ji Hwan Bae singled and Kevin Parada followed with a base hit before Yonny Hernández lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Mets tied the game in the third inning. Jared Young singled and Eric Wagaman followed with a hit before Ryan Clifford delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, evening the score at 2-2.
Syracuse threatened throughout the middle innings but could not capitalize. The Mets stranded runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, finishing the night 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, and leaving eight total runners on base.
Buffalo regained the lead in the eighth. Charles McAdoo launched a solo home run to left-center field, putting the Bisons in front, 3-2. Later in the inning, Riley Tirotta tripled, but Alex Carrillo entered and stranded him at third to keep Syracuse within one run.
The Bisons added an insurance run in the ninth. Josh Rivera walked and eventually scored on a Josh Kasevich fielder’s choice, extending the lead to 4-2.
On the mound, Daniel Duarte started for Syracuse and allowed two runs in the first inning before exiting in the second. Ben Simon followed with one and one-third scoreless innings, and Zach Peek worked a clean third and fourth. Ofreidy Gómez tossed two shutout innings with three strikeouts, while Cionel Pérez allowed the go-ahead homer in the eighth. Alex Carrillo recorded the final four outs for Syracuse and gave up one run in the ninth.
Syracuse continues its series against Buffalo on Saturday night. Right-hander Jack Wenninger is slated to start for the Mets opposite right-hander Austin Voth for the Bisons. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.