B-Mets Throw A Playoff Pre-Party In Reading And It Gets Offensive

Binghamton Mets @ Reading Fightin Phils

September 2, 2015

Tyler Pill @ Joely Rodriguez

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Binghamton	1	3	4	2	3	1	0	0	2		16	21	1
Reading	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0		4	5	1

W: Pill (6-0, 2.08 ERA); L: Rodriguez (5-4, 6.27 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Tyler Pill – 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 3 SO, HR, 102 Pitches (65 Strikes), 9 GO: 6 FO

Josh Smoker (2.25 ERA) – 1 IP, BB, 1 GO

Akeel Morris (2.54 ERA) – 1 IP, 3 SO

Joely Rodriguez – 2.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 3 SO, 58 Pitches (38 Strikes), 2 GO: 2 FO

Hoby Milner (3.75 ERA) – 2.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, BB, 2 SO, 2 HR, 61 Pitches (38 Strikes), 3 GO: 2 FO, 2 IR – 1 S

Tom Windle (4.39 ERA) – 2 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 2 SO, 1 GO: 2 FO

Jimmy Cordero (2.72 ERA) – 1 IP, SO, 2 FO

Brodie Greene (9.00 ERA) – 1 IP, H, 2 R, BB, SO, HR, 1 GO: 1 FO

Batters

L.J. Mazzilli – 4-5, 2 R, 2B (18), 2 RBI (21), BB

T.J. Rivera – 2-6, RBI (26), SO

Josh Rodriguez – 1-4, R, 2 RBI (76), 2 SF, 2 SO

Vince Belnome – 1-6, R, 2B (5), 2 RBI (17), 2 SO

Joe Benson – 1-3, 3 R, HR (4), RBI (24), 3 BB, 2 SO

Jonathan Galvez – 3-5, 2 R, 2B (6), RBI (20), BB, SO

Xorge Carrillo – 4-6, 3 R, 2 HR (10), 3 RBI (40), SO

Jared King – 2-6, 2 R, 2 RBI (50)

Tyler Pill – 3-5, 2 R, 2B (1), RBI (2)

Angelo Mora – 1-4, 2B (6), RBI (18)

Brock Stassi – 1-4, R, HR (15), 2 RBI (90)

Harold Martinez – 1-4, SO

Brian Pointer – 2-2, R, 2B (17)

Recap

            Although they wouldn’t find out until a hour or so after their game ended, the Binghamton Mets win over Reading combined with the Trenton Thunder’s eventual loss means that the B-Mets are heading to the Eastern League playoffs for a third straight season. Binghamton absolutely walloped Reading Wednesday night in baseball town, scoring a run in each of the first 6 frames en route to a 16-4 victory. It marked the 10^th time in Binghamton history that they scored at least 16 runs in a game, and the first time since they scored 17 back on 6/8/2008. B-Mets starter Tyler Pill not only gave Binghamton 7 strong innings on the mound, he also went 3-5 with a double at the plate – he had the same number of hits as Reading after 5.5 innings were in the books.

            This game was one-sided from the start and full of offense, so I’ll let the highlights below tell the story instead of boring you with more words now. This series wraps up Thursday at 6:35, with Mickey Jannis (0-1, 5.06 ERA) scheduled to face Ethan Martin (3-0, 3.40 ERA).

Since they were on the road, the B-Mets did not have any champagne or celebrations ready for when Trenton lost, so they will just have to celebrate when they get home Friday (and I’d guess the B-Mets booster club will be waiting for when they do!). I’m guessing nobody is happier about them not celebrating than the Reading clubhouse manager, because that would’ve been 2 clubhouse celebrations within one 4-game series (Reading officially clinched Monday night).

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 Blow Two Leads And Then Lose In Extra’s

New Hampshire Fisher Cats @ Binghamton Mets

August 30, 2015

Casey Lawrence @ Robert Gsellman

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
New Hampshire	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	2		5	11	0
Binghamton	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		3	7	1

W: McFarland (3-3, 1.84 ERA); L: Kolarek (2-3, 3.96 ERA)

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Robert Gsellman (3.06 ERA) – 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 SO, 83 Pitches (54 Strikes), 11 GO: 2 FO

Akeel Morris (2.63 ERA) – 2 IP, BB, 3 SO, 29 Pitches (18 Strikes), 2 GO

Jeff Walters (1.76 ERA) – 1 IP, H, 2 GO: 1 FO

Adam Kolarek – 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 3 GO

Casey Lawrence (4.55 ERA) – 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 SO, HR, 99 Pitches (66 Strikes), 4 GO: 6 FO

Chad Girodo (0.62 ERA) – 2 IP, H, 4 SO, 31 Pitches (21 Strikes), 2 GO

Blake McFarland – 2 IP, BB, SO, 4 GO: 1 FO

Batters

L.J. Mazzilli – 1-5, SB (5), 2 SO

T.J. Rivera – 2-5, R, 2B (10)

Josh Rodriguez – 1-4, RBI (74), BB, SO

Vince Belnome – 2-3, 2 R, HR (1), RBI (13), BB, SO

Jonathan Galvez – 1-4, 2B (19), 2 SO

Dwight Smith – 2-4, R, 2 RBI (42), BB

Melky Mesa – 2-5, R, SO

K.C. Hobson – 1-4, R, SAC, SO

Kevin Nolan – 1-4, 2B (20), BB

Jack Murphy – 1-4, 2B (12), 3 RBI (20), SF, SO

Derrick Chung – 2-4

Shane Opitz – 1-4, SAC, SO

Jorge Flores – 1-4, R

Recap

            The Binghamton Mets got a boost to their rotation with the return of Robert Gsellman Sunday afternoon, but he was unable to guide them past the Fisher Cats in this game. Gsellman was pitching for the first time since 8/19, and he picked up right where he left off, inducing groundouts and weak contact early in the AB. He was working so efficiently that despite having a 5-inning limit (per B-Mets radio announcer Tim Heiman, and seems logical since he’s nearing his season innings limit), Pedro Lopez let him go out there for a 6^th inning, although he might’ve regretted that. Gsellman would surrender a run during his final inning of work, squandering the slim lead he was given.

The B-Mets put a run on the board in 3 straight innings, but they could only scratch out two singles after the 4^th. Akeel Morris came in to relieve Gsellman first, and he was great over his two scoreless innings, allowing only a walk to the one batter he probably didn’t want to face (Dwight Smith Jr.). Jeff Walters kept the scoreless streak alive in the 9^th, but Adam Kolarek could not recover after allowing a leadoff but single in the 10^th. New Hampshire would eventually load the bases against Kolarek with just one out, and then Jack Murphy doubled home two game-winning runs before Kolarek rebounded to retire the final two batters of the frame.

The Binghamton Mets head to Reading for a series with the 1^st place Fightin Phils to start the week, and have the fortune of Steven Matz (1-0, 0.00 ERA) pitching for them against Jake Thompson (3-1, 1.97 ERA). Matz’s first rehab appearance with Binghamton was a smashing success, and he’ll be on a 80-pitch count limit tomorrow.

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