Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets recorded their sixth shutout in their last 10 wins to defeat the Rochester Red Wings, 4-0, on Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
Syracuse (32-26, 70-63) took an early lead in the second inning. Vidal Bruján singled before Ryan Clifford drew a walk. Hayden Senger followed with a ground-ball single that scored Bruján, with a fielding error allowing Clifford to advance to second. Two batters later, D'Andre Smith lined an RBI single to left field to score Clifford and give the Mets a 2-0 lead.
The Mets added another run in the fifth. MJ Melendez singled to begin the inning and moved to second on Eric Wagaman's groundout. After Bruján walked, Ryan Clifford lined a single to center field that scored Melendez. Clifford advanced to second on a throwing error, but Syracuse was unable to add to its lead.
Syracuse added its final run in the seventh. Melendez led off with a ground-rule double before Wagaman followed with a double to left field, scoring Melendez and making it 4-0.
The Mets pitching staff kept Rochester off the scoreboard throughout the night. Rochester's offense registered nine hits, but went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Xzavion Curry started for the Mets, tossed four innings and two-thirds with one strikeout, before Tobias Myers entered in the fifth. Myers worked two innings and a third with only allowing one baserunner and three strikeouts. Chayce McDermott took over in the eighth and completed the shutout with three strikeouts in the ninth.
Melendez finished 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Wagaman went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Bruján collected two hits and scored a run. Clifford drove in an RBI and worked two walks in his first game back off the development list. Senger also recorded an RBI single.
With the win, Syracuse is two and a half games back of Rochester in the International League second half. The winner of the second half plays first-half champion Memphis in the IL Championship Series with the chance of playing in the Triple-A National Championship in Las Vegas.
The Mets and Red Wings continue their series Friday at NBT Bank Stadium with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Right-hander Jack Wenninger is slated to take the ball against right-hander Isaac Lyon in game one.