The Syracuse Mets lost despite Ryan Clifford homering for the fourth time in as many games while Jack Wenninger struggled with his control, A.J. Ewing hit his first home run of the season in a Binghamton loss, Dylan Ross had a scoreless inning in a Cyclones loss and Elian Peña had two hits in a St. Lucie loss.

Ryan Clifford
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Triple-A

Syracuse Mets (12-11) 4, Worcester Red Sox (13-10) 10 

BOX SCORE

  • 1B Ryan Clifford – 2-for-4, 1 R, HR (4), 3 RBI (14), 2 K (.846 OPS)
  • CF Nick Morabito – 1-for-4, 1 K (.789 OPS)
  • SS Vidal Bruján – 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 SB (3) (.671 OPS)

Syracuse was powered early on by a Clifford home run, but Syracuse did not score after the fourth inning. Trace Willhoite, on a fill-in call up, went 0-for-3 with a run scored, a walk and three strikeouts.

  • RHP Jack Wenninger (2.16 ERA) 2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K (29 of 64 pitches for strikes)

Wenninger has struggled with his control this season, walking 11 in 16 2/3 innings despite striking out 19. Even with the lack of control, he still sports a 2.16 ERA. The bullpen struggled behind him, with the three pitchers who relieved Wenninger allowing two earned runs each.

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (6-11) 1, Erie SeaWolves (7-11) 3

BOX SCORE

  • CF A.J. Ewing – 2-for-3, 1 R, HR (1), 1 RBI (4), 1 SB (10), 1 BB, 1 K (.980 OPS)
  • 3B Jacob Reimer – 0-for-4, 4 K (.593
  • C Chris Suero – 0-for-4, 2 K (.844 OPS)
  • 2B Marco Vargas – 2-for-4, 1 K (.533 OPS)

Ewing isn’t going to remain at Double-A for much longer if he keeps hitting like this. He is already up to ten stolen bases in 17 games. Kevin Parada went 0-for-4 with 2 K’s, dropping his OPS to .487.

Suarez had a quality start, but the offense couldn’t muster much to back him up. Douglas Orellana went one inning while allowing a hit and a walk and striking out two batters. He has struck out 12 batters in 6 2/3 innings.

High-A

Brooklyn Cyclones (4-13) 2, Hudson Valley Renegades (10-7) 10

BOX SCORE

Outside of Collins, the Cyclones had three hits, with none going for extra bases and zero walks. John Bay, who has been hot to start the year, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

  • *REHAB* RHP Dylan Ross (0.00 ERA) 1 IP (10 of 15 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Joel Díaz (8.36 ERA) 3 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Ross had yet another scoreless outing and should be on the plane to Syracuse very soon. Every other Cyclones pitcher allowed a run, with Juan Arnaud allowing four on four hits in 2/3 of an inning.

Low-A

St. Lucie Mets (9-9) 3, Palm Beach Cardinals (13-5) 11

BOX SCORE

  • SS Elian Peña – 2-for-5 (.887 OPS)
  • CF JT Benson – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (2), 1 RBI (9) (.991 OPS)
  • RF Ronald Guzman – 1-for-3, 1 BB, 2 K (.763 OPS)
  • 3B Branny De Oleo – 1-for-4, 1 R, HR (2), 1 RBI (9) (.598 OPS)

Peña and Benson each had two hits. AJ Salgado went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

  • RHP Joel Lara (13.50 ERA) 3 IP, 4 H, 5 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 3 K

Right-handed pitcher Conner Ware has allowed four or more runs in two of his four starts. Right-hander Christian Rodriguez hasn’t allowed a run thus far, striking out two in 1 2/3 innings.