Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets secured back-to-back wins by taking down the Columbus Clippers, 6-5, on Friday at NBT Bank Stadium.
Columbus (18-19, 59-52) took an early lead in the top of the first. Cooper Ingle walked and Daniel Schneemann singled before a Syracuse fielding error loaded the bases. Kyle Manzardo followed with a sacrifice fly to score Ingle, giving the Clippers a 1-0 lead.
Syracuse (16-20, 54-57) answered in the second. Ronny Mauricio singled and stole second before Christopher Morel launched a two-run home run to left-center field, putting the Mets ahead, 2-1.
The Clippers regained the lead in the fourth when Milan Tolentino hit a two-run home run following a catcher’s interference call, making it 3-2. Syracuse responded in the bottom half of the inning with four runs. Morel was hit by a pitch and Nick Lorusso walked before D’Andre Smith singled to load the bases. Jose Ramos then delivered a three-run double to right field, scoring Morel, Lorusso and Smith to put Syracuse ahead, 5-3.
Columbus tied the game in the sixth. Kody Huff walked before Tolentino doubled home Huff. After Tolentino advanced to third on a flyout, Dayan Frias singled him home to make it 5-5.
The Mets regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth. D’Andre Smith walked, stole second and third and scored when catcher Kody Huff committed a throwing error while trying to throw out Smith and Shawn Ross on a double steal. The run gave Syracuse a 6-5 advantage.
Jonathan Santucci pitched five innings and a third with six strikeouts in his NBT Bank Stadium debut. The left-hander became the first Syracuse starter to record an out in the sixth inning since Jack Wenninger on July 4 vs. Worcester. Dan Hammer pitched an inning and two thirds, including a scoreless seventh. Zach Franklin faced four batters and ended the eighth on a strikeout looking. Dylan Ross then retired the side in order in the ninth to earn the save.
Morel went 1-for-3 with his 10th home run of the season, two runs scored and two RBIs. Ramos delivered the biggest hit of the night with his three-run double, while Smith scored twice and reached base three times. Vidal Brujan also reached base three times with a single, a double, and a hit by pitch.
Syracuse continues its series against Columbus on Saturday at NBT Bank Stadium. Right-hander Tobias Myers is scheduled to start for the Mets against right-hander Rorik Maltrud. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.