The Syracuse Mets opened their season against the Rochester Red Wings, The Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate, sending Joey Lucchesi to the mound to face off against Joan Adon.

Lucchesi took the mound, and started with a bang, striking out two of the three hitters he faced in the first inning, including Nationals top prospect James Wood. Lucchesi ran into some trouble in the fourth inning after he walked a hitter, who came home to score on a fielding error by Trayce Thompson.

Lucchesi gave way to Reed Garrett, who struck out four over two innings, allowing one hit. Grant Hartwig came out and pitched an inning where he allowed a single to Jacob Young and a double to Wood, but got Juan Yepez to ground out, which plated the Red Wings’ second run of the game. Yacksel Ríos finished off the game allowing a run on three hits while striking out two.

Photo Credit: James Farrance

In a good sight, two of the Mets’ top prospects, Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña batted one and two respectively, with Mark Vientos batting fourth. Syracuse opened up the scoring in the second inning after drawing two walks and a single allowed Austin Allen to hit a sacrifice fly.

Two more runs would come across when Acuña reached on a fielding error. José Iglesias would hit an RBI single in the third, scoring Vientos who reached base on a five-pitch walk. In the bottom of the fourth, Gilbert and Acuña hit back-to-back homers off former Met Robert Gsellman, putting Syracuse ahead 6-1. That would be the last time the Syracuse Mets would score, but it would prove to be more than enough.

Lucchesi had a great first outing overall, only allowing two hits and one unearned run while walking one and striking out five. Expected to serve as starting pitching depth, it is good to see the veteran be able to anchor a staff that features three Mets prospects in Mike Vasil, Dominic Hamel, and Christian Scott.

The Syracuse offense was working all game, drawing walks, keeping the strikeouts to a minimum, and making contact, forcing the Red Wings to go to five pitchers on the night. In addition to his home run, Gilbert was hit by a pitch.

BOX SCORE

Hitters

CF Drew Gilbert 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 K, HBP
2B Luisangel Acuña 1-for-5, R, HR, RBI, K
3B Mark Vientos – 0-for-3, R, BB
SS José Iglesias – 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB

Pitchers

LHP Joey Lucchesi – 5 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K
RHP Reed Garrett – 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 4 K
RHP Grant Hartwig – 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H
RHP Yacksel Ríos – 1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Drew Gilbert started the season with a bang, reaching base in his first two plate appearances, including the leadoff home run in the fourth inning. Gilbert has a very promising blend of sneaky power, good defensive ability at all three outfield positions, and plays hard every game. It will be exciting to see how he refines his best skills in Triple-A and how long it will take the Mets to call him up to the big leagues

ON DECK

The Syracuse Mets (1-0) will continue their series against the Red Wings (0-1) at 1:05 P.M. Thaddeus Ward takes the mound for the Red Wings, while the Syracuse Mets haven’t announced a starter.