The Syracuse Mets opened a six-game series with the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium and fell short by a score of 4-3.
Jose Rodriguez took the ball for Syracuse and surrendered three runs on two hits over 2 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out two.
The Mets opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning as Daniel Palka clubbed his 19th home run of the season over the center-field wall.
Buffalo plated three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead. Nathan Lukes put the Bisons on the board with a two-run single. Later in the inning, a run scored on a balk. In the home half of the frame, Francisco Alvarez drove in a run with a single to make it a 3-2 game.
In the bottom of the fourth, Palka launched his second home run of the game and 20th of the season over the center-field wall to tie the contest, 3-3.
However, Buffalo responded in the top of the fifth as Stevie Berman homered to put the Bisons back on top, 4-3. That ended up being the difference in the game as the bullpen held the lead.
Syracuse did have the tying run at second with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth but could not scratch across the run.
New York Mets No. 2 prospect Brett Baty went 0-for-4 in his first Triple-A game.
Philip Diehl, Stephen Nogosek, and Michael Otanez had scoreless appearances. Rob Zastryzny allowed the lone run in relief.
Syracuse will try to bounce back on Wednesday and even the series at a game apiece. The first pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].