Syracuse, NY – Back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning helped the Columbus Clippers pull away from the Syracuse Mets in an 8-4 victory on Wednesday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium.
Columbus (18-17, 59-50) struck first in the third inning when Dayan Frias hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Clippers a 1-0 lead.
Syracuse (14-20, 52-57) answered in the bottom half of the inning. Shawn Ross and D'Andre Smith opened the frame with back-to-back singles before Zack Short grounded into a force out that scored Ross to tie the game at 1-1.
The Clippers broke the game open in the fourth. George Valera hit a two-run home run to center field before Kody Huff and Milan Tolentino hit homers to record three-straight solo home runs, pushing the lead to 5-1.
Columbus added another run in the fifth when Ralphy Velazquez homered to right field, extending the advantage to 6-1.
The Clippers tacked on a run in the sixth after Alfonsin Rosario tripled and scored on Frias' RBI single, making it 7-1.
Syracuse got one run back in the bottom of the sixth. Short walked before Christopher Morel drew a walk and Andy Ibáñez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nick Lorusso then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Short, trimming the deficit to 7-2.
Columbus answered immediately in the seventh. Daniel Schneemann doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-2.
The Mets mounted one final rally in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Morabito walked before Short launched a two-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 8-4, but Syracuse would get no closer.
Jonah Tong took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned, on five hits in five innings while striking out three. The Mets' top pitching prospect retired the first eight batters he faced. Austin Warren surrendered two runs in an inning of relief in major league rehab, Jonathan Pintaro tossed a scoreless inning and two-thirds, and Ben Simon concluded by recording the final four outs.
Short led the Syracuse offense, finishing 1-for-4 with a two-run homer, three runs batted in, and two runs scored. Christian Arroyo reached base twice with a walk and a single, while Ross and Smith each recorded a hit and scored a run.
The Mets continue their six-game series against the Clippers on Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Right-hander Jack Wenninger is slated to start for the Mets against right-hander Yorman Gomez. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.