Thigpen ignites the fireworks

MOOSIC – The post game July 4th fireworks show on Friday night was impressive, much to the delight of the sellout crowd of 10,310 fans at PNC Field.

However, it wasn’t the only skyline display.

Syracuse catcher Curtis Thigpen had six RBI, including a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning that lifted the Chiefs to a 8-5 victory over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Thigpen crushed a fastball off Yankee reliever J.B. Cox that barely stayed fair when it cleared the left field fence.

The clutch blast gave Syracuse an 8-4 lead, eclipsing a rally in which the Yankees overcame an early 4-0 lead to tie the score at 4-4 in the seventh inning.

Just before Thigpen’s grand slam, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre issued an intentional walk to Russ Adams – loading the bases with Chiefs.

Yankee manager Dave Miley said Thigpen was issued a free pass because of percentages.

“Thigpen has hit into 11 or 12 double plays this year. We were hoping that he’d hit into another one, but unfortunately he didn’t.”

Thigpen seemed to be in a zone Friday night. He slammed a two-run double in the first inning and wound up going 3-for-4.

Former Valley View standout Wayne Lydon and Hector Luna each had a pair of hits as the Chiefs had eight hits – as did Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (51-38).

The Yankees got a subpar effort from starter Kei Igawa, who gave up four runs in the first inning and departed after five innings.

“We gave up two big innings (first and eighth),” said Miley. “Otherwise, our pitching was solid. Kei pitched four shutout innings after giving up four runs in the first.”

Igawa got off to a shaky start. Lydon slammed a triple on the first pitch of the game, and immediately scored when Buck Coats followed with a triple. Coats later scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Watson, giving the Chiefs a 2-0 lead.

The Chiefs continued to feast on Igawa’s pitching. Luna hit a one out single and Russ Adams walked.

That set the stage for Thigpen, who followed with a two-run double that brought in Luna and Thigpen to give Syracuse a 4-0 lead.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre got back in the game on a three-run home run by Eric Duncan in the bottom of the fourth inning – a towering blast over the right field fence, trimming the Syracuse lead to 4-3.