MMO Farm Report: Germen K’s Nine In AA Debut, Tuiasosopo Homers Twice, Pill Solid

Buffalo 9, Syracuse 0

When Syracuse’s Carlos Rivero ripped a two-out double to left center in the top of the seventh inning, it mattered little to the outcome of the game. That’s because Bisons starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner had crafted a dominant display of pitching beforehand, allowing the Bisons to build a comfortable lead they would not relinquish.
Simply put, Hefner was in control.

After allowing a leadoff single in the top of the first, Hefner did not allow another hit until the seventh inning. In that span, he only allowed one walk. Hefner’s pitching, along with a consistent offensive and defensive effort across the board, led to a 9-0 Bisons win over Syracuse Friday night.

Hefner’s success did not come from overpowering batters in the form of strikeouts. The right-handed pitcher, who pitched three shutout innings for the Mets April 23rd, only had three strikeouts in his seven innings of work. But he refused to allow crisp contact, and Buffalo’s defenders were able to make plays and get outs as a result.

D. J. Carrasco, on rehab assignment from the Mets, relieved Hefner in the eighth to pitch two shutout innings of relief.

The major offensive explosion from the Bisons came in the 2nd inning. With the game still scoreless, Josh Satin and Tuiasosopo led things off with consecutive singles. Then Syracuse starting pitcher Tanner Roark threw a wild pitch that advanced the runners to second and third, and a Fred Lewis single drove in the game’s first run.

The Bisons added four more runs in the inning to take a 5-0 lead after two, and never looked back. Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo was the offensive star of the game and went 4 for 4, cranking two solo homers and scoring three runs.

Herd Rumblings: The Bisons went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and left five runners on base. The Bisons had home runs in three consecutive innings (3rd, 4th, 5th), with Tuiasosopo’s 3rd and 5th-inning shots complementing Omar Quintanilla’s 4th-inning blast. Buffalo finished their seven-game homestand at 6-1. The team now embarks on a 10-game road trip to Rochester, Gwinnett, and Charlotte. (From team reports)

Harrisburg 7, Binghamton 4

Gonzalez Germen made the start for Binghamton in place of Zack Wheeler, who was placed on the disabled list with a right middle fingernail avulsion. After making four starts with the St. Lucie Mets (High-A) prior to his promotion, the righty started his Double-A debut with a scoreless first inning.

Things came unglued in the second. The Senators pounded out six hits, including three doubles, and took advantage of three wild pitches to jump out to a five-run lead. All three wild pitches uncorked by Germen brought home a run.

The righty shook off the rough frame and finished with four scoreless innings. He struck out the final two in the second and capped his night by retiring 14 of the last 15 Senators he faced. He matched a B-Mets starting pitcher high with nine strikeouts.

Binghamton scratched back in the third against when  Juan Centeno led off with a single and moved to second on a sac bunt. Centeno scored after Harrisburg catcher Devin Ivany gunned an errant pickoff throw to the bag, allowing Binghamton’s first run.

In the sixth, with two men aboard, Raul Reyes lined an RBI single to right, plating Josh Rodriguez. Juan Lagares followed by bouncing into a run-scoring fielder’s choice, cutting Harrisburg’s lead to two.

The Senators answered right back with two runs in the top of the seventh on a run-scoring groundout and a wild pitch by reliever Edgar Ramirez.

Trailing 7-3, Binghamton loaded the bases in the eighth on three consecutive walks by Ryan Tatusko, who was quickly replaced by Hector Nelo. Nelo allowed one run on a groundout by Lagares, but escaped with no further damage.

In the ninth, the the B-Mets loaded the bases on a single and two walks, but Jefry Marte struck out to end the game.

B-Mets Buzz: Despite the strikeout in the ninth, Jefry Marte continues to rake batting.321. and slugging at a .420 clip for the season. He is terrorizing left-handed pitching to the tune of .476. Gonzalez Germen looked great after he got past his Double-A debut jitters. Darin Gorski takes the hill for Binghamton as they continue their series against the Senators this afternoon at 1:05 PM.

Savannah 10, Delmarva 0

By Sean Kenny

Savannah jumped on Delmarva starter Tyler Wilson and a great pitching effort by Tyler Pill and co. lead to a series sweep of the Shorebirds with a 10-0 win.

Tyler Pill was lights out today, allowing 8 hits in six innings, giving up two walks but striking out eight batters. Pill was the fortunate recipient of two double-play balls, but that does not take away from the rate he was striking out the Shorebirds hitters in. Pill has looked great in every start minus one on the season, but his 1.65 ERA does not even reflect the poor start very strongly.

After Pill, the wrecking ball known as Jack Leathersich came out and pitched two innings, allowing no hits, no walks and striking out two. With Leathersich striking out 26 in 17 innings, one has to wonder when he will get the call to St. Lucie. Jared West came out for the ninth, and allowed one hit to finish up the game.

The Gnats offense was spectacular today with Lawley netting two RBI, Taijeron netting two RBI and continuing his hot hitting, Thurber grabbing two RBI, Aderlin Rodriguez reaching the two RBI plateau, as well as Nieves and Maron grabbing an RBI a piece.

Gnats Gnotes: Cam Maron went 1 for 5 with 3 K’s. Did grab an RBI though. With the dearth of catching in the system, any productivity is good productivity. Travis Taijeron went 3 for 4 with one strikeout, but if contact can continue, the strikeouts may be manageable. After ending his eight-game hitting streak, T.J. Rivera went 1 for 4 with two runs and strikeout.