Syracuse edges Pawtucket

SYRACUSE, N.Y. » The Syracuse Chiefs used solid pitching and a one-inning offensive outburst to beat the Pawtucket Red Sox, 3-2, on Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium.

Irving Falu collected three hits and two RBIs for the Chiefs en route to the win.

Syracuse (45-63) scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the third inning off Pawtucket starting pitcher Josh A. Smith.

Bengie Gonzalez led off with a bunt single. Chris Dominguez then singled to center field, putting runners at first and third base. Andrew Stevenson then laid down a bunt. Stevenson reached first, and Dominguez moved to second, but Gonzalez was out at third base. With Victor Robles batting, Dominguez stole third and Stevenson stole second. Robles followed witha groundball to third base, and on the play, Pawtucket third baseman Iván De Jesús Jr. fielded the ball and threw home, but his throw was late as Dominguez scored for a 1-0Chiefs lead. Stevenson ended up on third base after the play, and Robles was safe at first. Jacob Wilson followed with a walk to load the bases. Irving Falu then singled to right field, bringing home both Stevenson and Robles to give Syracuse a 3-0 advantage.

Chiefs starting pitcher Jefry Rodriguez was superb on the mound. The 25-year-old pitched into the seventh inning without allowing a run. Rodriguez allowed five hits and three walks while striking out five batters. Rodriguez left the game with no outs in the top of the seventh inning and the bases loaded, but Chiefs reliever Koda Glover came in to the game and retired the next three batters with a pop out, strikeout, and a groundout to prevent the Red Sox from scoring.

HERM CARD - SUBMITTED PHOTO Irving Falu’s two-run single in the fifth inning helped push the Chiefs past the PawSox Tuesday.