Jacksonville, FL – The Syracuse Mets used three home runs and a strong performance from six pitchers to grind out a 4-3 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Saturday night at VyStar Ballpark.
Syracuse (20-23, 58-60) jumped in front in the top of the first. MJ Melendez drew a one-out walk before Ronny Mauricio launched a two-run home run to center field, his 14th homer of the season, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.
Jacksonville (17-26, 59-58) answered in the second when Johnny Olmstead hit a solo home run to left-center, cutting the Syracuse lead to 2-1.
The Mets got the run right back in the fourth. Christopher Morel led off the inning with his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot to left-center that restored Syracuse’s two-run advantage at 3-1.
The score remained there until Jacksonville tied the game in the sixth. After Austin Warren retired the first two batters of the inning, Cam Cannarella singled and Deyvison De Los Santos followed with a two-run home run to right field, evening the game at 3-3.
Syracuse answered with another long ball in the eighth. Melendez hit a one-out solo home run to right field, his 14th of the season, putting the Mets back in front, 4-3.
Chris Devenski protected the one-run lead over the final two innings. He retired Jacksonville in order in the eighth before working around a one-out walk and stolen base in the ninth. With the potential tying run at second, Devenski got Brayden Taylor to pop out and struck out Olmstead to finish the win.
Syracuse used six pitchers in the bullpen game. Kevin Herget started and allowed one run on two hits in two and one-third innings, striking out two without a walk. Matt Turner followed with one and two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Zach Franklin tossed a scoreless fifth, allowing one hit while striking out one. Austin Warren allowed two runs on two hits in one and one-third innings with one strikeout. Zack Mack retired both batters he faced, including one strikeout in his Triple-A debut. Devenski finished with two scoreless and hitless innings, walking one and striking out four.
Mauricio, Morel and Melendez supplied all four Syracuse runs with their three home runs. Morel also finished with three hits, while Nick Morabito added two hits and his 37th stolen base.
The Mets and Jumbo Shrimp wrap up the series Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Right-hander Jonah Tong is scheduled to start for Syracuse against right-hander Jace Beck for Jacksonville.