Brandon McIlwain, Photo by Herm Card
Triple-A
Buffalo Bisons (61-63) 5, Syracuse Mets (52-71) 2
- Brandon McIlwain CF: 2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI, BB, .282/.440/.549
- Ronny Mauricio 2B: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K, .292/.347/.504
- Brett Baty 3B: 0-for-3, 2 BB, .309/.405/.670
The Mets had just seven hits in Sunday’s game, but they did walk 10 times and so had numerous opportunities to score. Unfortunately, they went just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and could only push across the two runs. Despite the poor performance with runners in scoring position, the Mets did jump out in front right away, scoring the first run of the game on a McIlwain double in the bottom of the first. McIlwain has been ridiculously hot recently; he has had three straight multi-hit games and every hit in that stretch has gone for extra bases. Mauricio’s hitless game snapped an eight-game hitting streak, but he did extend his on-base streak to 20 games with the two walks.
- RHP José Butto (L, 3-7, 5.93 ERA) 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
- RHP Hunter Parsons (5-4, 4.94 ERA) 2.2 IP, H, BB, K
- RHP Vinny Nittoli (0-1, 4.99 ERA) 1.1 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, K
Butto struggled in this start, allowing eleven baserunners and four runs in five innings of work. Butto has had a very disappointing season following the best season of his career (by ERA) in 2022. In particular, he has struggled with walks, as his 4.85 BB/9 is by far the highest of his career.
Double-A
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (61-57) vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (54-62)
The Rumble Ponies’ game against the Fisher Cats on Sunday was cancelled due to rain. The game will not be made up.
High-A
Asheville Tourists (47-68) 8, Brooklyn Cyclones (60-59) 1
- Jett Williams SS: 0-for-3, BB, .326/.468/.593
- Kevin Parada C: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 K, .265/.340/.447
- Chase Estep 3B: 1-for-2, R, HR, RBI, BB, .222/.295/.323
The Cyclones had almost no offense on Sunday afternoon; they were held to just two hits in the game and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The lone run scored on Estep’s eighth-inning home run. Williams went hitless for his second straight game, but his walk extended his on-base streak to 14 games.
- RHP Robert Colina (L, 3-5, 4.25 ERA) 0.2 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 4 ER, BB
- RHP Sammy Tavarez (0-0, 17.28 ERA) 2.0 IP, H, 3 BB, 2 K
- RHP Kolby Kubichek (0-1, 6.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, K
Even without the lifeless offensive performance, this game was over almost as soon as it started, as the Cyclones gave up seven runs in the first inning and then one more run in the second. Tavarez had his longest outing since May 24, although the three walks were tied for his most since the end of April.
Low-A
Dunedin Blue Jays (58-62) 13, St. Lucie Mets (40-79) 8
- Marco Vargas SS: 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, K, .273/.273/.273
- Nick Morabito CF: 3-for-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI, .267/.353/.360
- Nick Lorusso 3B: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, .145/.229/.226
The Mets were held without a run until the sixth inning and had just two extra-base hits in the game, but were able to get hits at clutch moments in the late innings of the game, going 5-for-10 to push across eight runs. Morabito and Lorusso both hit balls right around 103 mph off the bat. Vargas was making his second appearance with St. Lucie and collected two more hits after a 1-for-6 performance the game prior.
- RHP Ernesto Mercedes (L, 0-1, 6.00 ERA) 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
- RHP Jose Gomez (0-1, 12.00 ERA) 2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 K
- RHP Brawny Reyes (1-0, 10.50 ERA) 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB
The Mets’ pitching staff was a disaster across the board in this game, as all five pitchers who appeared in the game gave up at least one run. Mercedes came just short of a 3000 RPM spin rate on both his slider and curveball.
