In what was another low-scoring game between Thruway Cup rivals, the Syracuse Mets came out on top with a 2-1 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Saturday night at Frontier Field. After signing a minor league deal with the Mets on Saturday, Zack Godley started the game, making his Syracuse debut. The veteran right-hander threw three and one-third innings, allowing one run on one hit while walking five and striking out four.
Syracuse (29-52) brought home the game’s first run in the top of the third inning. With nobody on base, Wilfredo Tovar hit a two-out single. Patrick Mazeika followed with a double to the right-field corner that scored Tovar from first base to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Rochester (32-46) responded in the bottom of the third. Jecksson Flores and Sterling Sharpe led off the frame with walks. After Ali Castillo struck out, Godley walked Keibert Ruiz to load the bases with one out. Jake Noll followed with a sacrifice fly to score Flores and tie the game, 1-1.
In the top of the fourth, Godley hit a single in an attempt to start another two-out rally. Mark Payton was then walked, and Travis Blankenhorn reached on an error by the first baseman Derek Dietrich to load the bases. However, Tovar popped out for the third out.
In the top of the sixth, Chance Sisco led off the inning with a single, and Orlando Calixte followed with a walk to put runners at first and second. Akeem Bostick then flied out to right field, allowing Sisco to tag up and move to third. With runners on the corners and one out, Mark Payton hit a sacrifice fly to score Sisco and hand Syracuse a 2-1 lead.
Coming out of the bullpen, Akeem Bostick stepped up for Syracuse, delivering three and two-thirds hitless, shutout innings, allowing just one walk while striking out two batters.
Syracuse reliever Tom Hackimer pitched the eighth for the Mets and delivered a scoreless innings, his third straight scoreless frame to start his Mets career.
With Syracuse still leading 2-1 going to the bottom of the ninth, Bradley Roney came out of the bullpen and delivered a 1-2-3 inning for his fourth save of the season.
The Mets and Red Wings return to Frontier Field on Sunday afternoon for the series finale. Right-hander Jesús Reyes makes the start for Syracuse against Rochester left-hander Ben Braymer. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].