Mets' Jonah Tong strikes out 10, but unable to pitch out of fifth inning for Triple-A Syracuse
Mets right-hander Jonah Tong was dominant in the early innings of his start for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, but it did not end the way he would have wanted.
Mets right-hander Jonah Tong was dominant in the early innings of his start for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, but it did not end the way he would have wanted. Going up against the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Tong struck out the side in the first inning, which included Jasson Dominguez and Oswaldo Cabrera. Tong allowed one run across his first four innings, but the fifth was not kind to the youngster.
After walking the leadoff batter, Ernesto Martinez Jr. took Tong deep and cut Syracuse's lead to 6-3. Tong bounced back to strike out former big leaguer Paul DeJong, but Payton Henry homered to make it 6-4.
Dominguez doubled before Tong struck out Oswaldo Cabrera. Tong got behind Max Schuemann in the count, 2-1, when the infielder lined a single to score the fourth run of the inning, and ended Tong's night. Dan Hammer replaced Tong but gave up a double to Spencer Jones as the RailRiders tied the game at 6-6, with all six runs going against Tong.
Tong finished Tuesday's start, throwing 86 pitches (53 strikes), allowing six earned runs on five hits (two home runs) and three walks. He did strike out a season-high 10 batters. Tuesday was Tong's fourth start at Triple-A this season.