Mets Minors Recap: Francisco Álvarez Homers in Brooklyn Win

Francisco Alvarez, Photo by Dan Fritz

AAA: Syracuse Mets (12-33) 9, Buffalo Bisons (25-19) 8

Cesar Puello, LF: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SO, .206/.349/.235
Khalil Lee, RF: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SO, .262/.446/.417

After the Bisons came up with a five-run seventh to go up by two runs, the Syracuse offense came back in the final three innings to secure a 9-8 win over Buffalo. The Mets’ comeback was generated by a pair of home runs: a solo homer from Cesar Puello in the seventh and a two-run homer from Brandon Drury in the eighth.

Drury put on a fantastic performance as the first baseman went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a run.

Jesús Reyes, RHP: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, HR, 6.54 ERA
Stephen Tarpley, LHP: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, K, 15.58 ERA

Starter Jesús Reyes had eight strikeouts through 5.2 innings but allowed three runs on Friday night. Closing pitcher Nick Tropeano earned the win as he allowed just one hit and struck out four through two innings to help lift Syracuse to victory.

AA: Reading Fightin’ Phils (18-28) 8, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (13-31) 5

Box Score

Manny Rodriguez, SS: 1-for-4, 3 RBI, HR, .165/.237/.281
Wagner Lagrange, LF: 2-for-3, R, .258/.318/.379

After a Manny Rodriguez three-run homer to go up 5-1 in the seventh, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies collapsed later on in the inning as they fell 8-5. The Fightin’ Phils scored seven in the seventh.

Two Rumble Ponies, Mark Vientos and Wagner Lagrange, garnered two hits each on the night to contribute to Binghamton seven hits.

Cole Gordon, RHP: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR, 3.82 ERA
Dan Goggin, RHP: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 9.87 ERA

Although starter Cole Gordon had a nice start allowing one run through six innings, the righty gave up three runs and reliever Dan Goggin gave up four in the Reading seventh.

A+: Brooklyn Cyclones (15-28) 7, Jersey Shore BlueClaws (19-26) 2

Box Score

Francisco Álvarez, C: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SO, .336/.462/.608
LT Struble, LF: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 SO, .278/.409/.333

The Brooklyn offense put on a phenomenal performance with 10 hits with half of them being extra-base hits on the way to a 7-2 victory over Jersey Shore. Three different Cyclones had multi-hit performances, including Jeremy Vasquez with a solo homer and an RBI single.

Francisco Álvarez also hit a home run on Friday night as the top prospect went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.

Cam Opp, LHP: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 K, HR, 7.52 ERA
Josh Hejka, RHP: 2.1 IP, H, 4 K, 4.42 ERA

Besides a two-run Jersey Shore first, starter Cam Opp had a relatively decent outing to earn his first win this season. After the first, Opp allowed just one hit and no runs in 4.2 innings. Relievers Josh Hejka and Allan Winans combined to allow three hits and no runs to close out the Friday night win.

A: St. Lucie Mets (24-21) 5, Dunedin Blue Jays (19-25) 0 (Game 1)

Box Score

Jaylen Palmer, 3B: 2-for-2, R, RBI, BB, .241/.364/.317
Alex Ramirez, CF: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, SO, .247/.315/.383

Jaylen Palmer lead the Mets in hitting on Friday night as the third baseman reached base on all three of his at bats, including two hits. St. Lucie totaled eight hits in the shortened seven inning affair.

Oscar Rojas, RHP: 7.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 9 K, 0.98 ERA

Pitcher Oscar Rojas put on a phenomenal performance for the fans at Clover Park as he threw a complete game. The righty struck out nine Blue Jays and allowed four hits on the way to a seven-inning shutout.

A: St. Lucie Mets (25-21) 3, Dunedin Blue Jays (19-26) 2 (Game 2)

Box Score

Jose Peroza, 2B: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB, .258/.429/.427
Nic Gaddis, C: 1-for-3, BB, SO, .282/.474/.462

Three one-run innings lifted the Mets over the Blue Jays in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader. Alex Ramirez made the headlining play of the second game with an RBI triple in the fourth. However, the St. Lucie batters could not bring him home to take the lead.

The Mets found the ultimate game-winning run in the sixth as Dunedin issued a walk with the bases loaded.