At long last, Chiefs claim division title
Behind Sousa, Lively, Syracuse wins International League North crown...
You might want to break out the silver to celebrate the Chiefs' division title.
Mitch Lively recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts over six innings Saturday as Triple-A Syracuse clinched the International League North Division crown with a 6-2 win at Pawtucket.
After surrendering a two-run double in the first inning to Bryce Brentz, Lively (5-2) stifled the Red Sox. He retired 11 straight batters at one point and faced two over the minimum over his final five innings. He ended up allowing four hits and two walks.
"He stepped up huge, pitched an outstanding game," Gardner said. "Got a little out of synch in the first inning but got it together after that. He pitched really well in a big-game situation."
The victory came after the Chiefs fell short in clinching efforts on Thursday and Friday and closes a saga that spans 25 years, the last time they won a division championship. The club had not made the playoffs since 1998, so the celebration was befitting of a team with a lengthy drought.
"It's a big deal for us," Syracuse manager Billy Gardner said. "It was rowdy, we got all excited and popped some champagne. We had a really good time. It's been a long year. These guys worked their butts off."
Still, there's more work to be done.
"We have a couple of boxes we want to check," the 20-year veteran manager said. "We want to get to the [Governors' Cup] championship and ultimately the Triple-A Championship in Charlotte. They want to finish it off. It's been an outstanding group. They pull for each other, they compete and they really have a passion for winning."
