Syracuse Mets Game Recap: Offense Goes Cold, Tong Finishes Strong but Mets Drop Doubleheader

Jonah Tong, Photo Courtesy of the Syracuse Mets

Game 1: Box Score: MJ Melendez; RF 1 for 2; 1 walk; Nick Morabito; DH 2 for 3; Ryan Clifford; LF 1 for 3; 2 Ks; Jose Rojas; 1B 1 for 3; Vidal Bruján; SS 0 for 3; 1 K; Cristian Pache; CF 0 for 3; 1 K; Jackson Cluff; 2B 0 for 2; 1 walk; Hayden Senger; C 0 for 2; 1 walk; 1 K; Yonny Hernández; 3B 0 for 2; Jack Wenninger; (L, 0-1) 4.1 innings; 2 runs; 1 ER; 3 hits; 3 walks; 5 Ks; Daniel Duarte;  0.2 inning; no runs; 1 K; Dan Hammer;  1 inning; no runs; 1 walk; 1 K; 

Game 2: Box Score: MJ Melendez; LF 1 for 4; 1 run; 1 RBI; 3 Ks; 1 double; Nick Morabito; CF 1 for 3; 1 K; Ryan Clifford; 1B 0 for 2; 1 run; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Christian Arroyo; 3B 1 for 3; 1 RBI; 2 Ks; Jose Rojas; DH 0 for 2; 1 walk; Jackson Cluff; SS 0 for 2; 1 walk; 2 Ks; 1 SB; Ji Hwan Bae; RF 0 for 3; 2 Ks; Ben Rortvedt; C 1 for 1; Hayden Senger; C 0 for 2; 1 run; 2 Ks; Yonny Hernández; 2B 1 for 3; 1 K; Jonah Tong;  5 innings; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 1 hit; 2 walks; 7 Ks; Austin Warren; (L, 1-1)(BS, 1) 1 inning; 2 runs; 1 ER; 1 hit; 1 K;

Buffalo, NY – The Syracuse Mets dropped both ends of a doubleheader to the Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday afternoon at Sahlen Field, falling 2-0 in game one and 4-3 in game two.

In the opener, Syracuse (5-6) was held off the scoreboard despite having a handful of baserunners throughout the game. The Mets stranded five runners on base and hit 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Nick Morabito was 2-3 and MJ Melendez, Ryan Clifford, and José Rojas each had a base hit as well.

Buffalo (5-6) broke through in the second. Charles McAdoo doubled and later scored on a groundout by Riley Tirotta, giving the Bisons a 1-0 lead.

The Bisons added an insurance run in the third. After a walk and an error put runners in scoring position, Eloy Jiménez reached on a fielding error that allowed a run to score, extending the advantage to 2-0.

Syracuse threatened in the sixth with back-to-back singles from Melendez and Morabito, but Buffalo escaped the jam to preserve the shutout.

In game two, the Mets struck early but couldn’t hold on in a 4-3 loss. Buffalo jumped out in the bottom of the first inning when Rafael Lantigua launched a two-run home run to give the Bisons a 2-0 lead.

Syracuse answered in the third with a big inning. After a single by Ben Rortvedt and a double from MJ Melendez plated the first run, Christian Arroyo delivered an RBI single to tie the game. A wild pitch later in the inning brought home Clifford to score, putting the Mets in front, 3-2.

Mets starter Jonah Tong held on to the one-run lead, pitching five innings, retiring the final 12 batters he faced, and struck out seven. 

Buffalo stormed right back in the sixth. After an error put a runner aboard, Yohendrick Piñango crushed a two-run home run, giving the Bisons a 4-3 lead.

The Mets were unable to respond late, as Buffalo retired the final eight Syracuse batters to secure the doubleheader sweep.

Syracuse continues its series with Buffalo on Thursday afternoon. Right-hander Christian Scott is slated to pitch for the Mets with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Last K of the day for Jack Wenninger (won challenge), another solid start for the @Mets #6 Prospect!

4.1 IP | 5 K | 1 ER | 2 R | 3 H | 3 BB pic.twitter.com/BRCuwW797M

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) April 8, 2026

BEN RORTVEDT OH MY GOODNESS WHAT A DOT 🎯🤯 pic.twitter.com/1on54LKOz7

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) April 8, 2026

MJ gets us on the board to answer back!

2-1 Bisons ⬆️3⃣ pic.twitter.com/ofuMHloT8F

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) April 8, 2026

Arroyo ties us all up! The boys are buzzin'!

2-2 ⬆️3⃣ pic.twitter.com/EWv8oVk2CL

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) April 8, 2026

Heads up baserunning by Ryan Clifford gives us the lead!

3-2 Mets ⬆️3⃣ pic.twitter.com/J4uVzKTG59

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) April 8, 2026

After a rocky 1st inning, Jonah Tong absolutely DOMINATED Buffalo hitters in a gutsy outing!

5.0 IP | 7 K | 2 ER | 2 R | 1 H | 2 BB pic.twitter.com/OMvdTo6AJj

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) April 8, 2026