Mets prospect Jonah Tong strikes out nine, Ronny Mauricio hits three homers for Triple-A Syracuse

· Yahoo Sports

Jonah Tong bounced back in a big way on Tuesday night. 

After allowing six runs in 4.2 innings in his last start (April 14), Tong dominated for Triple-A Syracuse. Pitching against the Worcester WooSox, Tong set down six of the first seven batters he faced, including striking out five. 

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The Mets' young right-hander would push his strikeout count to six batters through three no-hit innings -- he did allow two walks. He wouldn't allow his first hit until three batters into the fourth inning when Anthony Seigler hit an opposite-field single to left field. 

Tong lost his shutout in the sixth, however. He gave up a leadoff double to Nick Sogard and two batters later, Sogard came around to score on a Mickey Gasper one-out single. Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell followed with a single, knocking Tong out of the game.

Dan Hammer came on to get the final two outs of the sixth (strikeout, lineout) to close the book on Tong's night.

Tong threw 87 pitches (59 strikes) across 5.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks, while striking out nine batters. He lowered his ERA from 7.04 to 5.66. 

On the offensive side, the Syracuse Mets smashed four home runs through the first six innings, including two from Ronny Mauricio.

Mauricio continues his impressive start to the minor league season, going 2-for-3 with a walk through Tuesday's first six innings. Mauricio would add his third home run of the game, smashing a two-run shot in the eighth inning.

Mauricio now has five home runs in his last four minor league games.

In 14 games with Syracuse, Mauricio is batting .315 with six home runs, two doubles, and 13 RBI.

The other two homers came from Nick Morabito and a grand slam from first base prospect Ryan Clifford. It's the third straight game Clifford has homered. 

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