Syracuse Mets Top Rochester Red Wings in Home Opener

The Mets started the 2023 season by beating its rivals.

It was opening day at NBT Bank stadium which even at 2:05 on a Tuesday afternoon brings a great deal of buzz to the Syracuse area. The Syracuse Mets started their season 1-2 in Worcester but returned home to face a winless Rochester squad.

It nearly started with a Red Wing lead in the top of the first. Chad Pinder got on with a 1 out walk for Rochester ahead of a Yadiel Hernandez double. On the very next at bat Lorenzo Cedrola came to the rescue in center. A deep fly ball was brought in by the centerfielder before a laser beam to third saved a run and ended the inning.

The Mets responded to the defensive stand with a run of their own. Brett Baty singled with one down and Mark Vientos in the 4-spot brought him home with a first pitch double he roped to center. Francisco Alvarez had a rough first at-bat in the first which started 2-0, got to 3-1 and after a chase on a ball near the dirt Alvarez went down looking. There was a lot of excitement after his 3 for 8 start in just two games including his first extra base hit and a homer on April first, but his first at-bat at home was a letdown.

Neither team threatened in the 2nd and the Rochester starter Paolo Espino’s night ended. 2 complete innings with two hits, an earned run, one walk and three strikeouts made up his line. Both Matt Cronin and Andres Machado, especially Machado, got through the middle innings without too many issues but the Mets offense heated up in the 8th. Mark Vientos started things with a 4-pitch walk before Ronny Mauricio tripled to make it 3-0 and Khalil Lee hit a sac fly to left to bring home Mauricio. The final run of the day was Lorenzo Cedrola who crossed home on a Carlos Cortes double to right.

On the mound Syracuse was excellent. Alex Valverde was on the bump to start and went through full innings. Gave up a few walks but aside from the double he was missing barrels and had really good stuff deep in counts. Bubby Rossman and Eric Orze were the first two relief arms for the Mets, and they combined for a hitless 4 innings with 7 strikeouts. Grant Hartwig had the 8th and gave up a single to Darren Baker but after Francisco Alvarez hosed Baker at 2nd Hartwig struck out both Pinder and Hernandez swinging. Jimmy Yacabonis went 1-2-3 in the 9th to seal the 5-0 win.

The Mets improve to 2-2 while the Red Wings fall to 0-3. Both sides return to NBT Bank stadium for game two of the series at 1:05 p.m.

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