Syracuse Chiefs lose in season finale

Syracuse (66-74) season came to a disappointing end Monday as they fell to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in a rain shortened season ender by a score of 4-1. The two teams played into the top of the 6th before the game was called with just one out at the time of stoppage and the bases loaded for Lehigh Valley.

After retiring the first two batters of the game Chiefs pitcher Brad Meyers gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases in the first. Meyers managed to get out of the inning on a fly out to right field from Scott Podsednik that left three stranded.

With the score still 0-0 in the top of the third and just one out Lehigh Valley again threatened after loading the bases on two singles and a batter hit by a pitch. This time though the Iron Pigs managed to capitalize on the situation scoring a run off a Erik Kratz sac fly to right field that drove in a run.

Syracuse managed to tie it up in the bottom of the third. Outfielder Corey Brown led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a ground out from Sean Nicol. Brad Meyers grounded out for the second out bringing Chris Curran to the plate with two outs and a man on third. Curran managed to drop in a soft line drive to left field that scored Corey Brown from third to even things up at 1 a piece.

Lehigh took the lead for good in the top of the 5th inning. With one out away Kevin Frandsen singled on a grounder out to center field, then Brandon Moss singled on a line drive to right fielder Jesus Valdez who then tried to throw Frandsen out at third but the throw was dropped by third baseman Tug Hulett who was then called for interference as Frandsen attempted to run home. Frandsen was given a free pass to home and was awarded the go ahead run of the game. Lehigh Valley managed to tack on another run in the inning causing the Chiefs to go to their bullpen for Garett Mock.

Mock loaded the bases in the 6th and then walked in a run before the game was called due to rain.

The Chiefs finished 13 games out of first place in the International League’s Northern Division and finished 11 games out for the wild card spot