Utica Brewers Trounce Syracuse Salt Cats

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Utica Brewers are getting back to their 2011 form, trouncing the Syracuse Salt Cats at Donovan Stadium, 13-1.

Utica (10-8) started early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Second baseman, Jesse Pintado, hit a single to start the streak. Shortstop Brian Pruett then hit a triple to score Pintado, before an Andrew McNett sacrifice fly allowed Pruett to run home.

The third inning was quiet, with the Brewers holding onto a 2-0 lead. But, the Salt Cats (5-13) earned a run in the fourth, when Bud Morton scored off a Conor Thompson putout. That would be the only run Syracuse could muster and the closest they would come to winning the game.

Utica erupted in the bottom of the fourth, scoring seven runs and taking control of a now runaway game. The biggest hit of the night came from Matt Bahnick, whose three run homer scored Kenny Durling and Stephen Dezzi. Other runs came courtesy of Zachary Loraine, Jesse Pintado, Brian Pruett and Andrew McNett. Bahnick's home run was his third this season.

Up 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Brewers hit another hot streak, scoring four more runs. The inning started off with a McNett single, followed by a Steven Chagolla walk and a single by Durling to load the bases.

Dezzi, who paced the Brewers all night, came up to bat and hit a single. But, on the play Syracuse's right fielder, Mike Mascari, committed an error letting Durling, McNett and Chagolla score. Dezzi added another run off a Blaine Tanner single.

With no other runs for the rest of the contest, Utica easily took the game. They now sit only 3.5 games back of the division leading Syracuse Junior Chiefs.

Utica's starting pitcher, Tim Murdick went eight innings, allowing only four hits, one earned run and 11 strikeouts. His ERA sits at a comfortable 3.47. Ryan Donovan pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the game. Syracuse's Mike Lalonde threw five innings, but was hammered for 10 hits and 11 earned runs. He struck out four but walked two.

Tonight, the Brewers take on the Junior Chiefs in Syracuse at Alliance Bank Stadium. Game time is set for 5 p.m.