Mets Minors Recap: Brett Baty Hits Two Home Runs

Brett Baty, Photo by Steven Woj of MMO

Brett Baty continues to punish any Double-A pitcher that dares to challenge him, launching two home runs in the first two innings for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Thursday. Baty has 18 long balls on the year and has been tearing the cover off the baseball all season, particularly since the beginning of July.

AAA: Syracuse Mets (45-57) 6, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (57-45) 7 Box Score

DH Francisco Álvarez: 0-for-4, R, BB, SO, .185/.353/.431
RF Nick Plummer: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R, SO, .224/.311/.377
C Michael Perez: 1-for-3, HR (1), BB, SO, .222/.436/.370

The Mets dropped this one in extras in heartbreaking fashion to remain winless in August, blowing a two-run lead in the ninth and a one-run lead in the tenth. Nick Plummer had the biggest offensive day of any Mets player, driving in three runs and collecting three hits including a double. Francisco Álvarez went hitless in four at-bats but scored a run, while Mark Vientos remained out of the lineup for the second straight day. Michael Perez got his first hit in the organization since being acquired back in late July, a solo home run in the ninth inning.

LHP Nate Fisher: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, K, 3.43 ERA
RHP Bryce Montes de Oca: IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 4.09 ERA
LHP Phillip Diehl: (L, 2-2), 0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), BB, 4.44 ERA

Nate Fisher gave up three runs in the first inning, but he settled down from there to fire off four serviceable innings. The bullpen locked it down until the ninth inning when Bryce Montes de Oca blew the save in his first appearance since pitching to the tune of a brilliant 1.64 ERA in July. Phillip Diehl blew a save as well in the tenth inning, failing to record an out and walking in the winning run.

AA: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (37-60) 10, Somerset Patriots (60-37) 2 SUSP, Top 3rd Box Score

DH Brett Baty: 2-for-2, 2 HR (18), 4 RBI, .304/.396/.518
SS Ronny Mauricio: 1-for-2, R, SO, .256/.295/.486
C Matt O’Neill: 1-for-1, HR (1), 3 RBI, .273/.333/.364
RF Brandon McIlwain: 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, SO, .222/.304/.346

Baty has an absurd .367/.451/.671 slash line over his last 28 games and looks every bit the part of the highly regarded prospect that he is. The Rumble Ponies smashed five home runs by the third inning and were well on their way to a third consecutive victory, but the game was suspended due to inclement weather and will be resumed on Friday as part of a doubleheader.

RHP Garrison Bryant: 2.0 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 2 K

Garrison Bryant didn’t have to do much given the offensive explosion, but he did fine across two innings. He’ll hand the ball off to someone else when the game resumes on Friday.

A+: Winston-Salem Dash (48-51) 1, Brooklyn Cyclones (49-50) 5, F/7 Box Score

CF Alex Ramirez: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, SO, .290/.343/.538
SS José Peroza: 2-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, .236/.318/.355
C Nic Gaddis: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, R, .211/.347/.371

The Cyclones won convincingly in a game shortened to seven innings by lightning, their first win in August. Alex Ramirez continues to be the star of the show down in Single-A, and his two RBI in this one has him at 20 RBI in his last 14 games. Big run-scoring doubles from José Peroza and Nic Gaddis put the game out of reach even before the threat of lightning.

RHP Dominic Hamel: (W, 3-0), 5.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1.80 ERA
RHP Nolan Clenney: 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 K, 5.80 ERA

Dominic Hamel was sensational, allowing just one hit across five innings with seven strikeouts. He has won all three of his decision across five starts for Brooklyn, and his 1.80 ERA across 25 innings is quite impressive. Nolan Clenney did a good job of maintaining the lead and closing out the rest of the game for the victory.

Josh Walker, Photo by Ed Delany of MetsmerizedOnline

A: Daytona Tortugas (39-57) 5, St. Lucie Mets (57-41) 3 Box Score

LF Carlos Domínguez: 2-for-4, RBI, R, .234/.319/.441
CF Omar De Los Santos: 2-for-6, 3 SO, .262/.325/.455
3B William Lugo: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, SO, .263/.353/.423
SS Junior Tilien: 3-for-4, BB, SO, .270/.318/.456

The Mets had a perplexing day on offense, as they had 14 hits yet only one went for extra bases in a frustrating loss. William Lugo had the biggest night, providing that lone extra-base hit on a double as part of a three-hit game with two runs scored. Junior Tilien also had three hits, while Carlos Domínguez and Omar De Los Santos had two hits each.

LHP Josh Walker: 2.0 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 4.50 ERA
RHP Raimon Gómez: (L, 3-4), 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, 2 K, 4.20 ERA
LHP Daniel Juarez: IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K, 2.14 ERA

Josh Walker made his second rehab start in his return from an undisclosed injury, striking out five batters across two innings of work. Walker had a great showing in Spring Training, so the organization will look to get him back at the Triple-A level as soon as he is ready. Raimon Gómez gave up three runs in the seventh inning and ended up with a loss on a night where the run support just wasn’t there.