Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Syracuse Chiefs Win Doubleheader In Front Of No Fans

By Ricky Keeler | Apr 9, 2016

Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher A.J. Cole (43) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Yesterday, the Syracuse Chiefs won a doubleheader on the road as the “home team” without any fans in the stands

In addition to the Washington Nationals opening up their season earlier this week, it was the minor leagues that also got underway this week. While Hagerstown, Potomac, and Harrisburg started their season Thursday, the triple-A Syracuse Chiefs got underway a day late.

Syracuse had their first four games cancelled due to unplayable field conditions and their home opener was pushed back to Monday. So, two of the four scheduled games against the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (Philadelphia Phillies) were made up as two seven-inning games yesterday at Lehigh Valley, but there were no fans in the stands. Here is a picture, courtesy of Eric Gallanty, one of the play-by-play announcers for the Chiefs:

The Chiefs. The Pigs. And no one else pic.twitter.com/n9zuu9uuXd
— Eric Gallanty (@ericgallanty) April 8, 2016

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Even though no one was there as a spectator, the Chiefs went on to win both games of the doubleheader. In Game one, the story was Syracuse starter A.J. Cole. Cole went five innings, gave up one unearned run on one hit (Angelys Nina RBI double in the second), struck out two, and walked two on 78 pitches (47) strikes in Syracuse’s 5-1 win.

The Chiefs got on the board early against Jake Thompson, one of the pitchers acquired by the Phillies in the Cole Hamels deal last July. Trea Turner walked to leadoff the inning and Scott Sizemore doubled two batters after that. Turner would come around to score on a passed ball for the first run and Matt Skole drove in Sizemore with a RBI groundout to second to put the Chiefs up 2-0.

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In the bottom of the sixth, Syracuse widened their lead when Skole doubled to right to drive in Turner. With the score 3-1, Jason Martinson drove in Sizemore with a base hit to left. The final run of the inning was scored on a Brian Goodwin single to right as Skole came around to score and put the Chiefs up 5-1. Sammy Solis and Rafael Martin would pitch the last two innings and give up a combined two hits (both allowed by Martin) and strike out three Ironpigs.

Game two began just like Game one as Syracuse got on the board first with a Martinson solo home run to left against Adam Morgan. That was one of the Chiefs’ three hits today, but they were still able to squeak out a 2-1 win.

Taylor Jordan got the start in the second game and pitched well. He went five innings, gave up one run on four hits, strike out two batters, and walk two in the win. The only run he game up occurred in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch when he walked Darnell Sweeney.

Syracuse would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Turner himself manufactured the game-winning run. He led off the inning with a walk and eventually made it to third via a stolen base and an error on the throw by J.P. Arencibia. Turner would eventually come around to score on a wild pitch by Andrew Bailey.

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While Trevor Gott didn’t start the year in the Nats’ bullpen, he did get the win in his first triple-A appearance with the organization due to a 1-2-3 sixth inning. Nick Masset was able to get the save by closing out the Ironpigs in the top of the seventh.

Due to all the postponements, the next Chiefs game isn’t until Monday when they will be hosting the Buffalo Bison (Toronto Blue Jays) at 6:35 PM ET. Taylor Hill will start for Syracuse against Wade LeBlanc. You can catch the game on MILB.TV.

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