B-Mets Rally Late For A 7-6 Win In Reading

Binghamton Mets @ Reading Fightin Phils

September 1, 2015

Gabriel Ynoa @ Ben Lively

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Binghamton	0	0	0	1	0	4	0	0	2		7	14	1
Reading	2	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	1		6	12	0

W: Walters (2-0, 1.65 ERA); L: Shackleford (4-2, 4.61 ERA); Save: Sewald (23, 1.82 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Gabriel Ynoa (3.94 ERA) – 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR, 90 Pitches (57 Strikes), 7 GO: 3 FO

Beck Wheeler (BS, 3, 3.58 ERA) – 1.2 IP, H, SO, 2 GO: 1 FO, 1 IR – 1 S

Jeff Walters – 1 IP, H, 2 SO

Paul Sewald – 1 IP, 2 H, R, SO, 2 GO

Ben Lively (4.31 ERA) – 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, BB, 4 SO, 91 Pitches (54 Strikes), 3 GO: 6 FO

Reinier Roibal (BS, 1, 1.71 ERA) – 0.2 IP, 2 H, R, SO, 3 IR – 3 S

Edubray Ramos (3.26 ERA) – 2 IP, 3 H, 2 SO, 1 GO: 3 FO

Stephen Shackleford – 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 GO: 1 FO

Batters

T.J. Rivera – 3-5, 2 R

Josh Rodriguez – 2-4, 2 R, BB

Brock Peterson – 1-4, R, RBI (50), SF

Vince Belnome – 4-5, R, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI (15)

Joe Benson – 1-5, R, 2B (10), 2 RBI (23)

Jared King – 1-4, 2 RBI (48), SO

Albert Cordero – 2-4, 2 SO

K.C. Serna – 2-5, R, RBI (31), SO

J.P. Crawford – 2-5, 2 R

Andrew Knapp – 2-5, R, HR (11), 3 RBI (56), SO

Destin Hood – 2-4, 2 2B (24), RBI (56), SO

Dylan Cozens – 1-3, R, HR (3), RBI (9), BB

Angelo Mora – 2-4, R, 2B (5), SO

Brian Pointer – 1-4, 2B (16), SO

Recap

            The B-Mets moved one step closer to the playoffs by holding on for a 7-6 win against Reading Tuesday night. Binghamton starter Gabriel Ynoa is generally considered a control specialist, but he was a little wild at times in this one, although it was the 2 homeruns he allowed that hurt him more than the two walks issued. Reading starter Ben Lively was rolling the first time through the Binghamton lineup, allowed a run on three hits the second time through, and then retired only one of four batters as the lineup turned over for a third time. Both Ynoa and Lively would be removed with the tying runs on base, and both bullpens would allow all inherited runners to score in the 6^th.

            After allowing the tying run to score in the 6^th, Beck Wheeler bounced back and worked a quick and scoreless 7^th to keep the score tied at 5. The game stayed tied until the 9^th inning, when T.J. Rivera sparked the game winning two run rally with a one out single to CF. Paul Sewald would make those runs hold up in the 9^th, and Binghamton walked away one game closer to a postseason berth.

            Rivera contributed nicely on offense, so he was still a net positive in this game, but his limited defense at SS has hurt the B-Mets. He doesn’t have the range to make the plays that Gavin Cecchini can, and he doesn’t have the arm to be a shortstop. Cecchini hurt the B-Mets 20+ times with errors this year, but some of those errors were on balls Rivera can’t even get to, and Cecchini has made a lot of very good plays this year too. 

            Check out scoring details and some highlights from this game below. This series continues Wednesday night at 6:35 PM, with Tyler Pill (5-0, 1.95 ERA) scheduled to pitch opposite Joely Rodriguez (5-3, 5.20 ERA).

Scoring Highlights

B-Mets Matzterpiece Foiled By A Late Reading Rally

Binghamton Mets @ Reading Fightin’ Phils

August 31, 2015

Steven Matz @ Jake Thompson

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Binghamton	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0		2	8	0
Reading	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2	X		6	8	0

W: Thompson (4-1, 2.08 ERA); L: Kolarek (2-4, 4.52 ERA); Save: O’Sullivan (4, 2.22 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Steven Matz (0.00 ERA) – 5.1 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 78 Pitches (49 Strikes), 8 GO: 2 FO

Erik Goeddel (H, 3, 3.00 ERA) – 0.2 IP, H, BB, 17 Pitches (7 Strikes)

Adam Kolarek (L, 2-4, 4.52 ERA) – 0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, BB

Jon Velasquez (BS, 2, 2.15 ERA) – 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, SO, HR, 38 Pitches (28 Strikes), 2 GO: 2 FO, 3 IR – 3 S

Jake Thompson – 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 4 SO, 97 Pitches (66 Strikes), 4 GO: 6 FO

Ryan O’Sullivan – 2 IP, 4 GO: 2 FO

Batters

T.J. Rivera – 2-4, R, SO

Josh Rodriguez – 2-4, R

Brock Peterson – 1-4, RBI (49), SO

Vince Belnome – 1-4, SO, GIDP

Jared King – 2-3, CS

K.C. Serna – 1-3, RBI (30), SF

J.P. Crawford – 2-4, 2 2B (20), 2 RBI (33), 2 SO

Destin Hood – 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (5)

Dylan Cozens – 2-4, R, HR (2), 2 RBI (8), SO

Angelo Mora – 1-4, R

Brodie Greene – 1-3, R, RBI (22), BB, SO

Recap

            Assuming the Binghamton Mets hold onto their playoff spot in the Eastern division of the Eastern League, they got a preview of their first round matchup in Reading Monday night against the Fight Phils. The B-Mets were fortunate to be getting a start from rehabbing Steven Matz, who was on an 80-pitch limit, especially since Reading was countering with Readings top-pitching prospect Jake Thompson. The starting pitching matchup lived up to its billing, but Matz’s pitch limit meant the Binghamton bullpen would have to step it up, and they couldn’t hold onto the 2-0 lead, whilte Thompson pitched deep into the game, and then Ryan O’Sullivan threw two perfect innings to hold on for Reading. With the win, the Fightins officially punched their ticket to the postseason.

Steven Matz was great for Binghamton, allowing only one hit (to the first Reading batter of the game) and 2 walks over his 5.1 IP, and departing with a 2-0 lead. He hit 95-96 MPH on the stadium scoreboard multiple times throughout the start, his curve looked as sharp as it has on his rehab, and only two balls were hit beyond the infield on the fly. Matz may not have been as efficient as in his first rehab start with Binghamton, but he looked ready to return. Unfortunately for Binghamton, Jake Thompson was nearly as good, showing off just how tough of an opponent he’ll be in the first round next week. Thompson allowed the 2 Binghamton runs on 3 singles and a sac fly in the 4^th, but he was very much in control otherwise. I heard the Reading announcers call his fastball in the 93-95 MPH range from the stadium scoreboard, and while I didn’t hear velocity calls on his curveball, it was a very effective pitch.

            Erik Goeddel was the first in to relieve Matz, brought in after Matz threw just 4 pitches in the 6^th to inch ever so closer to his 80-pitch limit – I guess Goeddel was intentionally brought into the middle of an inning as preparation for his pending promotion, because he hadn’t done that yet on his rehab, and his previous 3 outings were the back-to-back day test, and then multiple inning test. Goeddel would allow a double to J.P. Crawford and issue a walk in the 6^th, but he kept the shutout intact. Adam Kolarek could not keep the shutout intact during the 7^th, and Jon Velasquez could not strand any of the three base runners he inherited from Kolarek, which led to a 4-2 Reading lead. The Fightin’ Phils would add a pair of runs on a blast from Dylan Cozens in the 8^th, while Binghamton had no fight left over the final innings.

            Check out scoring details and highlights below, as well as some nice defensive plays and highlights from Steven Matz and Jake Thompson. This series continues Tuesday night at 6:35 PM, with Gabriel Ynoa (9-8, 3.83 ERA) scheduled to pitch opposite Ben Lively (8-7, 4.22 ERA), and the Binghamton Mets magic number at 4.

Scoring Highlights

B-Mets Hit Party Backs A Solid Start From Lara

New Hampshire Fisher Cats @ Binghamton Mets

August 29, 2015

Conner Greene @ Rainy Lara

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
New Hampshire	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		3	7	1
Binghamton	3	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	X		6	14	0

W: Lara (8-5, 3.53 ERA); L: Greene (2-1, 5.68 ERA); Save: Velasquez (18, 1.77 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Rainy Lara (3.53 ERA) – 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 7 SO, HR, 97 Pitches (69 Strikes), 3 GO: 7 FO

Josh Smoker (H, 6, 2.37 ERA) – 1 IP, H, R, BB, SO, 1 GO

Jon Velasquez – 1 IP, 2 SO, 1 GO

Conner Greene – 3 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 SO, 75 Pitches (48 Strikes), 5 GO: 2 FO

Dustin Antolin (3.12 ERA) – 3 IP, 4 H, R, 5 SO, 47 Pitches (29 Strikes), 3 GO

Cory Burns (6.34 ERA) – 2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, SO, 36 Pitches (24 Strikes), 2 GO

Batters

L.J. Mazzilli – 2-4, R, 3B (2), BB

T.J. Rivera – 2-5, R, SO

Josh Rodriguez – 1-3, 2 R, 2B (24), 2 BB, SO

*Brock Peterson – 3-5, R, 2B (17), 3 RBI (48)*

Vince Belnome – 1-5, RBI (12), 2 SO, GIDP

Jonathan Galvez – 2-4, R, SB (2), SO

Xorge Carrillo – 2-4

Jared King – 1-3, 2B (14), RBI (46), SF, SO

Roemon Fields – 1-3, R, BB, SO

Dwight Smith – 2-4, R, 2 2B (23), RBI (40)

Melky Mesa – 1-4, R, HR (4), 2 RBI (16)

K.C. Hobson – 1-4, 2 SO

Shane Opitz – 1-3, 2 SO

Jorge Flores – 1-3

Recap

            The B-Mets won their fourth straight Saturday night behind a strong performance from Rainy Lara and a huge outburst on offense. Lara matched his season high with 7 strikeouts, and lasted 7 innings for the 5^th time this season. At the plate, the only B-Mets batter who failed to get a hit was Joe Benson, and five batters picked up multiple hits, including three for Brock Peterson. Brock was definitely the MVP at the plate, as all three of his hits would drive in a run, and he came around to score once himself.

After the teams combined for 5 runs in the 1^st inning, it seemed like this game might be all about the bullpens, but Lara set a new tone by retiring 10 of the next 12 New Hampshire batters through the 4^th inning. Binghamton had built a 5-2 lead by then, and they should’ve had more. In the 2^nd, the B-Mets loaded the bases up with 0 outs, but failed to score in the frame, which could’ve come back to hurt them. Lara allowed a pair of singles lined into RF in the 5^th inning, but the retired the final 8 batters he’d face. The Fisher Cats struck for a run against Josh Smoker in the top of the 8^th inning, but Binghamton would get that right run right back in the bottom half. With a 6-3 lead heading to the 9^th, manager Pedro Lopez turned to reliable Jon Velasquez to hold onto the save, and Velasquez would work a 1-2-3 frame, striking out the first two batters.

This series wraps up Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM, with Robert Gsellman (7-6, 3.17 ERA) scheduled to come off the DL and face Casey Lawrence (12-12, 4.55 ERA), and the B-Mets looking for a 4-game sweep.

Scoring Highlights

B-Mets Relievers Can’t Piece Together A Win In Nightcap

Erie Sea Wolves @ Binghamton Mets

August 25, 2015

Game Two

Melvin Mercedes @ Adam Kolarek

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7		R	H	E
Erie	0	0	0	2	0	0	1		3	6	0
Binghamton	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		1	7	1

W: Volker (1-1, 2.93 ERA); L: Kolarek (2-2, 3.79 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Adam Kolarek (L, 2-2, 3.79 ERA) – 3.2 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 2 SO, 55 Pitches (33 Strikes), 3 GO: 5 FO

Jeff Walters (2.03 ERA) – 1.1 IP, 2 H, R, 3 SO, 1 GO, 1 IR – 1 S

Josh Smoker (2.04 ERA) – 1 IP, H, 1 GO: 2 FO

Paul Sewald (1.79 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, R, 3 SO

Melvin Mercedes (2.70 ERA) – 4 IP, 4 H, BB, 2 SO, HBP, 57 Pitches (37 Strikes), 5 GO: 1 FO

Confesor Lara (4.82 ERA) – 1.1 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 1 GO: 1 FO

Paul Voelker – 1.2 IP, H, 2 SO, 1 FO, 2 IR – 0 S

Batters

2B – L.J. Mazzili – 2-4, SO

SS – T.J. Rivera – 1-3, R, GIDP

DH – Josh Rodriguez – 1-2, BB

1B – Vince Belnome – 2-3, 2B (2), RBI (10), GIDP

3B – Jonathan Galvez – 1-3, SO

Wynton Bernard – 1-3, RBI (34), BB

Jeff McVaney – 1-2, R, 2B (15), BB, SB (12)

Alberto Gonzalez – 1-3, R, 2B (10), RBI (18)

Connor Harrell – 2-3, 2B (18), RBI (39), SB (8), SO

Wade Gaynor – 1-3, R, 3B (2), 2 SO

Recap

            Having lost game one of their double-header Tuesday night 5-1, the B-Mets turned to their pen to avoid a sweep in game two. Unfortunately, while the pen provided a commendable effort – especially spot starter Adam Kolarek – the offense could only match their meager output from game one. Binghamton missed an opportunity to blow this game open in the 1^st inning when they left the bases loaded, and then they have few chances after that. Erie would get a runner in scoring position against Kolarek as he surpassed 50 pitches in the 4^th inning, but it was Jeff Walters on the mound when both runners were knocked in during that frame. Binghamton would finally break through for a run in the 6^th inning, temporarily the Erie lead to just one run, but Erie got that run right back in the 7^th inning.

            Check out the scoring details and some highlights from this game below. This series continues Wednesday night at 6:35 PM, with Steven Matz scheduled to continue his rehab for Binghamton opposite Josh Turley (11-7, 3.48 ERA).

Scoring Highlights