4/6/08: Luna's Lumber Leads Chiefs to Victory

On a great Sunday afternoon for baseball at Alliance Bank Stadium, the Syracuse Chiefs defeated the Louisville Bats in dramatic fashion to split the first series of the 2008 season. Things looked bleak with Syracuse down to their final out, down by one with the bases empty. Shortstop Jorge Velandia was down to his final strike before lining a base hit into left field. Bats reliever Gary Majewski (L, 0-1) then threw a wild pitch allowing Velandia to move to second. Also down to his final strike, left fielder Adam Lind was able to loop a single into right, just off the glove of Jerry Hairston, Jr. The ball trickled away from him, allowing Velandia to easily score. After putting in Joe Inglett as a pinch runner, Hector Luna came up and made sure it didn't matter who was on first, as he rocketed a shot over the left field wall, giving Syracuse the 5-3 win. Davis Romero started for the Chiefs, going three innings and allowing only two hits. John Parrish came in for him, allowing all three Louisville runs over his 3 and a third he pitched. He left after giving up a run in the 7th, leaving the bases loaded with only one out. Shawn Camp (W, 1-0) was summoned from the bullpen and pitched masterfully. He was able to get Jerry Gil to ground into an inning ending double play. He pitched a perfect two and two thirds, striking out four. In the bottom of the seventh, Pedro Lopez brought Syracuse to within 3-2 hitting a solo shot into left. Before Luna's game winner, Syracuse was able to load the bases in the eighth before first baseman Chip Cannon struck out to strand them.

A rather exciting game for the Chiefs and a nice split against a very good team. Jay Bruce sat out today's game for Louisville, as well as Ryan Hannigan who was hitting the Chiefs very well. For the Chiefs, Curtis Thigpen and Russ Adams were given the day off. Syracuse starts their home series with Indianapolis on Monday. They are the Triple-A affiliate for the Pittsburgh Pirates and split their opening series with Pawtucket.

Probable starters for Monday
Indianapolis - John Van Benschoten (0-0)
Syracuse - Bill Murphy (0-0)

I'll try to throw up a little preview about the Indians tomorrow before the game.