SYRACUSE, N.Y. - An up-and-down first half resulted in a 44-46 record for the Syracuse Chiefs, and they'll need a big second half if they're going to move up from fifth place in the toughest division in the International League and make the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

Syracuse is seven and a half games behind North Division leader Lehigh Valley and six games behind Pawtucket in the wild card race with four teams in between. The Chiefs resume the regular season Thursday night with the start of a four-game home series against the Yankees.