Press Release: Carlos Carrasco excels in rehab start, but Syracuse can't avoid sweep with 3-2 loss to Buffalo.

Trenton, NJ - The Buffalo Bisons used back-to-back, two-out home runs from Kevin Smith and Tyler White in the eighth inning to sweep the Syracuse Mets and win the series finale, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Trenton Thunder Ballpark (Box Score). In his second major league rehab start with Syracuse, Carlos Carrasco looked sharp, putting together three scoreless innings while striking out six. Additionally, "Cookie" allowed just two hits and did not walk a batter.

In the bottom of the first inning, Carrasco struck out the side. He then pitched a 1-2-3 second inning while striking out two, and he struck out one more in his third and final inning, which was also scoreless. 

Syracuse (23-48) put the first runs of the game on the board in the top of the fourth. Wilfredo Tovar hit a leadoff single, and then Chance Sisco struck out. With Cheslor Cuthbert at the plate, Tovar stole second base. After Cuthbert walked, Drew Jackson ripped a two-run double into center field to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.

Jesús Reyes came out of the bullpen to pitch the fourth inning for Syracuse, replacing Carrasco, and put together a scoreless frame. 

Buffalo (43-25) finally got on the board in the fifth. Logan Warmoth and Richard Ureña led off with walks. Vinny Capra then laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Warmoth to third base and Ureña to second. Forrest Wall followed and hit into an RBI groundout, bringing home Warmoth to make it a 2-1 game with the Mets still in front.

 That was the only run allowed by Reyes in an impressive outing. The right-hander delivered four hitless innings, allowing one run while walking three and striking out four.

Reliever Roel Ramírez made his Syracuse debut, following Reyes to pitch the eighth with the Mets still leading 2-1. After two quick outs, he allowed a game-tying solo home run to Smith. The very next batter, White, made it back-to-back homers to put the Bisons in front 3-2.

After pitching a scoreless eighth, Jacob Waguespack returned to the hill for the Bisons in the top of the ninth and delivered a perfect inning to earn the save.

Syracuse now returns home to NBT Bank Stadium for a six-game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The series begins on Tuesday with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch in Syracuse. Gates open at 5:30.