Brewers Heat Up, Beat Syracuse Salt Cats

Utica, NY (WIBX) - On a hot, sticky night when many people were trying to find a way to cool down, the Utica Brewers were doing the exact opposite, lighting up the Syracuse Salt Cats during a 15-5 rout at Donovan Stadium.

The Brewers (7-6) started off quickly, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. But, the Salt Cats (2-11) responded with two runs of their own in the top of the second, knotting the game up at 2-2.

Utica took the lead for good, though, in the bottom of the third inning. They started off with two singles and a walk to load the bases, then scored a run when Jesse Pintado singled. Blaine Tanner stepped up in a big way, hitting a double to score three more runs and forcing Syracuse to pull Zack Sutherland, their starting pitcher. Sutherland lasted two innings and allowed seven earned runs. Relief pitcher, Mike Lalonde, let in another run on a Daniel De La Calle putout to first.

The five-run frame broke the game wide open for the Brewers, who scored another seven runs during the next three innings and one more in the eighth to lock up the game. Syracuse added runs in the fourth and seventh innings, but were unable to mount a comeback.

Utica's Jordan Sechler picked up the win after pitching six innings. He allowed three runs, one earned.

The Brewers face the Sherrill Silversmiths tonight at Noyes Park, but will be back in action at Donovan Stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m., when they take on the Syracuse Junior Chiefs. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free Brewers water bottle.