Thursday’s News & Notes

Buffalo 4 Syracuse 3 — GAME ONE
• Ohlendorf (L, 2-1) 4⅔ IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 4BB, 6K
• J.C. Romero 1⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K, 2-0 IR-S
• Kobernus 1-3, R, 2B, RBI
• Costanzo 1-3, 2RBI

It was too little, too late as Syracuse fell in the opener, 4-3. Starter Ross Ohlendorf gave up all four runs in the Buffalo 5th, as the veteran was pulled with two outs after five hits and four walks given up, though he did strike out six. Down 4-0, Chris Marrero broke up Justin Germano’s no-hit bid with a leadoff single, but the Chiefs couldn’t get in gear until the 6th. The Chiefs got four straight hits with one out in the sixth, with Jeff Kobernus (RBI double) and Mike Costanzo (two-run single) cashing in back-to-back singles by Carlos Maldonado and Will Rhymes but a double play killed the rally and the Chiefs went quietly in the 7th.

Buffalo 5 Syracuse 4 (8 inn.) — GAME TWO
• Tatusko 3IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, BB, K
• Crotta (L, 0-1) 2IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 3K
• Van Ostrand 2-4, R
• Rivero 2-4, R

In the nightcap, Syracuse lost a 3-1 lead, rallied to tie at 4-4 but fell in the “extra” eighth inning for a 5-4 loss and a doubleheader sweep for Buffalo. Ryan Tatusko got the spot start but was ineffective, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over three innings. Mike Crotta took the loss when an error led to the gamewinning run in the 8th. Eight of the nine Chiefs reached base, with four batters going 2-for-4, but two baserunners were cut down from the outfield and two double plays blunted the 11 hits collected and five walks drawn.

Harrisburg Senators — OFF DAY
The news yesterday wasn’t about a lucky man who made the grade, but rather that Matt Skole’s injury was worse than initially feared. Instead of a fractured wrist, the 23-year-old has become the second position player this season to require Tommy John surgery. Unlike Spencer Kieboom, the injury is to his (left) non-throwing arm, which according to Washington GM Mike Rizzo, will require four months to rehabilitate. Considering that most recovery timetables do not allow a player to swing a bat until 12-14 weeks after the surgery, that estimate seems aggressive. Regardless, it’s a tough break for a player who was expected to shed the label of “a level behind where he should be” since being drafted in 2011.

Potomac 4 Salem 2
• Jordan (W, 1-0) 7IP, 6H, 2R, 0ER, 0BB, 5K
• Herron (S, 1) 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 5K
• Martinson 2-4, R, 2K
• Sanchez 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI

With a 4-2 win Potomac completed the sweep of Salem and returned to .500 for the first time in nearly two weeks at 6-6. Taylor Jordan gave up two unearned runs on six hits over seven innings. He walked none and struck out five. Tyler Herron was perfect for two frames, striking out five of six batters faced for his first save. Jason Martinson and Adrian Sanchez combined for four of the five hits the P-Nats collected, as Potomac made the most of its limited chances with just six men stranded and four ABs with RISP. Cole Leonida homered in the ninth for his first of the year.

Hagerstown 3 Lakewood 1
• Mooneyham 4⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 2K
• Rauh (W, 1-1) 3⅔ IP, 3H, R, ER, 0BB, 5K
• Renda 2-4, R, RBI
• Ramos 2-4, 3B, 2RBI, SB

“Help me” Wander Ramos struck again early, smacking a two-run triple that the Suns pitchers made stand up for a 3-1 win in the Wednesday matinee. Brett Mooneyham allowed no hits and just two walks over the first four and a 1/3rd innings, setting down two on strikes. Brian Rauh got the win in relief with the lone Lakewood run allowed on three hits, no walks and five strikeouts. Ramos and Tony Renda both went 2-for-4 to lead the Hagerstown offense, which notched seven hits total.