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2012
Wheeler Deals An 11 Strikeout Gem In Final Tuneup Before Triple-A Start
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By all reports, Tuesday night may have been Zack Wheeler’s final start of the 2012 season for the Binghamton Mets, and if it was he’s leaving town with an exclamation point after his name. Behind a season high eleven strikeouts, Wheeler earned his tenth win of the 2012 campaign by defeating the visiting Harrisburg Senators by a score of 3-2.
Wheeler pitched six and two thirds innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, walking four Harrisburg batters in the game. He threw a total of 106 pitches, 65 of them for strikes. Wheeler’s previous high for strikeouts in a game was nine which he threw on April 13th against the Portland SeaDogs.
C.J.Nitkowski relieved Wheeler in the seventh inning and threw one pitch in the game, that being a fly out by the Senators Jonathan Tucker to left fielder Pedro Zapata. Nitkowski earned his first hold of the season in his third of an inning appearance.
In the eighth, rehabbing New York Mets closer Frank Francisco came on for his fourth game as a Binghamton Met. In one inning, Francisco threw a total of eleven pitches, ten for strikes, and struck out the side, two batters swinging and the third on a foul tip. Francisco was credited with a hold in his one inning worth of work.
Adam Kolarek made his second relief appearance for Binghamton since being called up from St. Lucie on July 27th. Kolarek struck out the first two batters he faced, then allowed two singles before striking out Jose Lozada to end the game. Kolarek earned his first Double A save by closing out the game for the B-Mets.
Jefry Marte, who has been swinging a hot bat lately for the B-Mets, extended his hitting streak to six games by going 3-for-4, with a double, RBI, and run scored to his credit.
Wilmer Flores, hitting in the three spot right above Marte, went 1-for-three in the game with a walk and the other two B-Mets runs scored. Juan Lagares and Dustin Martin were each 2-for-4 in the game. Lagares has now hit safely in his last five games, and Martin continued his season high hitting streak to six games.
B-Mets Buzz: The combined 17 strikeouts thrown by B-Mets pitchers in the game is a new season high for the team. Raul Reyes rejoined the Binghamton Mets from Buffalo earlier in the day on Tuesday. Infielder Michael Fisher has been placed on the restricted list and has apparently left the team. Game two of the three game set between Harrisburg and Binghamton will be Wednesday evening at NYSEG Stadium. Gonzalez Germen (6-7, 4.60) will take the mound for the B-Mets against the Senators Trevor Holder (2-2, 5.66).
About the Author: Tim Burns
A Mets fan since birth, a Binghamton Mets fan since he watched them put the first shovel in the dirt in 1991 at Henry and Fayette Streets and every season since then, Tim is a vehement supporter - and at times defender - of Binghamton and his hometown team. From the days of Isringhausen, Pulsipher, and Wilson, to Reyes and Wright, all the way to present day den Dekker, Wheeler, and McHugh, he remembers when and is proud of all those that have graduated from the ballpark formerly known as Binghamton Municipal Stadium! Let's Go (B)Mets!
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Any chance we see this guy pitching in Flushing this season as a September call up?
Hey, it is so exciting that the Mets tune a guy up for Buffalo….. Maybe some day they will find out that the big league club is in Queens.
This is what he needed to do before his bump to AAA. Great to see him end AA on high note.
Wheeler didn’t really pitch his best game and still managed to strikeout 11. What was impressive was that he finished strong throwing 96mph nearing 100 pitches and striking out 5 of the last 6 batters he faced swinging. According to his manager he doesn’t think there is anything more Wheeler needs to do to get promoted.
“I think he’s ready. … I think he’s learned a lot. He’s done everything he needs to do in order to gain a promotion. I think it’s time.” – BMets Mgr Pedro Lopez
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20120731/SPORTS/307310076/A-strong-statement?odyssey=nav|head
See you next year wheeler, hopefully you don’t become a bust….
Very nice to see Wheeler end his stint in AA on a high note. I’m sure Wally Backman will prep him for his ML debut, whether it happens this September or next April. I’m inclined to think that’ll be next April, which would be smart because it will delay the date from which his FA clock will accrue. With Wheeler’s talent, his FA clock is a relevant consideration…y’know…Coupons ‘n all…
So NEXT YEAR’s staff will look something like this:
Rotation: Santana, Dickey, Niese, Harvey, Wheeler. I put Wheeler fifth because he’s a fifth wheel, yuk-yuk…
Bullpen: Francisco, Parnell, Acosta, Gee, Byrdak, Edgin, Mejia, Familia, Ramirezeseses (take your pick of which one)
Note: Would be nice to re-acquire Hisnori Takahashi.
Not too shabby.
So NEXT YEAR’s staff will look something like this:
Rotation: Santana, Dickey, Niese, Harvey, Wheeler. I put Wheeler fifth because he’s a fifth wheel, yuk-yuk…
I like what I’m seeing brother! That’s a nice rotation. Gee in bullpen?
Yeah, Gee in the bullpen. Not my first choice for the long relief role, but he’s probably the best option on this pitching staff. I can’t see Santana, Dickey, Harvey or Wheeler in that role, and Gee has very good baseball acumen. Besides, he’s a great insurance policy if any one of the five starters goes on the DL, which happens every season.
Pardon the mild digression, but I oftentimes think that a pitcher needs about a 2-week break mid-season to allow his arm to recover from the abuse it takes. The first week rest, the second week strength & conditioning with some side sessions. Reduces mental fatigue as well.
I’d like to see whether we could package Mejia, Familia & Baxter or Kirk for a talented right-handed hitting outfield prospect. That would do wonders in restoring some balance to this Met line-up. I think DW is simply fatigued at this point, having carried JayBay on his back all season long.
The real fun begins when Santana & Bay’s contract are no longer on the books. I don’t expect the Wilpons to reinvest every cent – they need to recover from the Madoff mess, too. But it would be nice to add top drawer talent in the form of one or two choice signings in the next year or two.
In all, I’m proud of this team, warts & all. They’ve provided a very competitive first half, a no-hitter and back-to-back one hitters. We’ve seen Wright restored and Davis rise from the ashes. Tejada’s been terrific at short (except for last night) and Murphy’s definitely getting the hang of first base. Murph’s nickname should be Mr. Doubles. Matt Harvey has given us a glimpse of what was once a Met commodity – power pitching. As we continue to watch our beloved Mets this season, we should do so with a view toward next year with optimism, whose name is “Zach Wheeler.”