MMO Farm Report: Wheeler Shelled, McHugh’s Gem Spoiled, Fulmer Prevails

Louisville 5, Buffalo 4

By Sean Kenny

After a great outing by Colin McHugh, the Bisons bullpen blew the lead in the eighth, and lost the game in the ninth by the score of 5-4.

Colin McHugh had a phenomenal outing today, going six and two-third innings, allowing five hits, no runs, one walk and five strikeouts. Colin was throwing strikes, and throwing strikes will always leave a pitcher in a great position to pick up a win – normally.

The Bisons bullpen started off with Justin Hampson pitching a clean third of an inning. However, once Bisons closer Fernando Cabrera came in to pitch the eighth it got much messier. Cabrera allowed four runs on five hits, walking one and striking out three in one inning. Pedro Beato went one-third of an inning and allowed a walk-off home run to end the game. As I have mentioned before, it seems once a pitcher heads to the Mets, then returns to Buffalo they lose any momentum they earned.

Offensively, the Bisons struck early, for three runs in the first on a three-RBI Josh Satin double scoring Mike Baxter, Zach Lutz and Adam Loewen. Zach Lutz would put across another run in the fourth on an RBI single, scoring Josh Rodriguez. However, after the fifth the Bisons managed one hit and four walks for the rest of the game.

GOAT: The duo of Cabrera/Beato. Losing a four-run lead is bad enough, but blowing the game itself in the last two innings is unforgivable.

Herd Rumblings: Matt Den Dekker, 0 for 4 with two strikeouts, dropping himself to .206 at Buffalo. Zach Lutz, 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Colin McHugh has been much better in July, pitching to a 3.04 ERA while striking out 24 in 23.2 innings. The Bisons will look to take a win from the Bats tomorrow, sending (Who is taking Harvey’s rotation spot). Game time is 7:05 P.M.

New Britain 11, Binghamton 2

By Tim Burns

The post-all star break game results haven’t been kind to the Binghamton Mets or their ace Zack Wheeler. For the second game in a row opposing batters hit Wheeler hard as the B-Mets dropped the rubber match against the New Britain Rock Cats by a score of 11-2.

Wheeler lasted four innings, allowing five earned runs on ten hits. The ten hits eclipsed his previous season high of nine, a mark he set on June 30th in a game against the Altoona Curve. Wheeler struck out five Rock Cats in the game, issued no walks, and hit one batter as well. All told, he threw 84 pitches, 58 of which were for strikes. Wheeler took the loss in the game and his record now stands at nine and six with a 3.29 ERA. This marks the first time Wheeler’s ERA has been higher than three since April 13th.

Edgar Ramirez replaced Wheeler in the fifth inning and pitched the next two frames. He gave up three runs on four hits, including a two run home run by Aaron Hicks, and struck out one.

Frank Francisco, on rehab assignment from the New York Mets, came on in relief in the seventh inning for his first appearance with the B-Mets. Francisco lasted all of two thirds of an inning, giving up two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one.

After Francisco walked Deibinson Romero to load the bases – and after he had already given up one run in the inning – Pedro Lopez called upon Brad Holt to finish out the seventh. Holt faced one batter in the bottom of the seventh, Rene Tosoni, who singled scoring Chris Colabello from third. New Britain’s Joe Benson tried to leg out another run but was cut down at the plate in the process ending the inning.

With Holt still on the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning the Rock Cats went three up and three down. Holt’s final line on the afternoon read one and a third inning’s, no runs on one hit, no walks, no strikeouts.

The Binghamton Mets batters were only able to scratch out four hits in the game, all of their hits coming off of New Britain starter B.J. Hermsen. Reese Havens and Eric Campbell were each 1-for-4 with a run scored in the game. Jefry Marte and Dustin Martin were 1-for-3 in the game, each recording an RBI. Martin’s fourth inning single broke a four game hitting drought for the B-Mets right fielder.

B-Mets Buzz: It’s back home for the B-Mets now to open a four game set against the Portland SeaDogs. Game one, scheduled for Thursday night at NYSEG Stadium, will pit Gonzalez Germen (6-7, 4.60) against Portland’s Drake Britton (2-3, 4.75). After the B-Mets loss on Thursday in New Britain, only a game and a half separates fourth place Binghamton and fifth place Portland. B-Mets beat writer Lynn Worthy tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said via email Frank Francisco will bus to Binghamton with the BMets and should pitch Thurs or Friday.

St. Lucie 6, Bradenton 5

Kai Gronauer’s RBI fielder’s choice in the bottom of the ninth lifted the St. Lucie Mets to a 6-5 victory over the Bradenton Marauders on Wednesday at Digital Domain Park.

With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, Gronauer was able to beat out a potential double play opportunity as Alonzo Harris came in to score the winning run. Shortstop Benji Gonzalez bobbled the ball initially, and the relay throw after the force out was late to first.

Aderlin Rodriguez hit his first home run of the season with St. Lucie and finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs. Richard Lucas had two hits and scored two runs, Harris went 3-for-5 with a run scored, and T.J. Harris had two hits to pace the Mets offense.

Kyle Allen pitched effectively, allowing one earned run and three hits in five innings while issuing one walk and striking out four.

Chase Huchingson tossed two scoreless innings in relief and struck out two.

Taylor Whitenton allowed two runs and walked three in an inning of work.

Jack Leathersich picked up his first victory as he struck out the side in the ninth. The Mets will host the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday at Digital Domain Park at 6:30 p.m. Erik Goeddel is the scheduled starter for the Mets.

Lucie Logistics: The St. Lucie Mets will honor the memory of former St. Lucie Mets manager and Hall of Famer Gary Carter on Thursday, July 26 as they host Gary Carter Tribute Night at Digital Domain Park. The Mets play the Lakeland Flying Tigers at 6:30 PM with Erik Goeddel expected to take the hill. Pre-game ceremonies are expected to begin at 6:15 p.m. Carter’s wife Sandy, daughter Christy, and grandson Brady will all be in attendance. Sandy and Christy will both throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch and they will be escorted to the field by former Mets All-Star Howard Johnson. Carter and Johnson were teammates when the Mets won the World Series in 1986.  (From team report)

Savannah 6, Kannapolis 2

By Nick Campione

Behind another great performance by Michael Fulmer on the mound and great hitting nights from Dustin Lawley, Greg Pron, and Cole Frenzel, Savannah defeated Kannapolis Wednesday night 6-2. Michael Fulmer again proved why many are beginning to think he is as high as the third best pitching prospect for the Mets behind Wheeler and Harvey. Fulmer pitched 5 innings, allowing three hits, no earned runs, one walk, and eight strike outs tying his career high, while lowering his SAL best ERA to 2.51.

For a player of his youth at only 19 years old in Savannah, Fulmer seems way more mature than his age and is proving why he deserves to spend the last month of season in St Lucie. Marcos Camarena relieved Fulmer throwing 2 shutout innings of his own and Chase Bradford continued his great season earning his second save of the season throwing one and one-third innings allowing one hit, no walks, and three strikeouts.

Savannah got plenty of support behind Fulmer’s great effort with multiple hit games from Dustin Lawley, Greg Pron, and Cole Frenzel. Frenzel had the best night going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, two doubles, and a walk to up his average to .204 in limited time for the Gnats following Aderlin Rodriguez’s promotion. Lawley continued his hot hitting with his third consecutive multi hit game going 2-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored.
Gnats Gnotes: The Sand Gnats continue their series against Kannapolis on Thursday night at 7:05pm as LHP Alex Panteliodis takes the mound. Panteliodis contributed what may have been the best start of his career last time on the mound, throwing six innings allowing only six hits, two runs, while striking out 10. Over his last four starts following his return from the disabled list, Panteliodis has allowed three or less runs in each of the starts.

Brooklyn 3, Batavia 2

With a two-run deficit in the sixth inning, Alex Sanchez and Stefan Sabol hit back-to-back home runs to lift the Cyclones to a 3-2 victory over the Muckdogs in Batavia on Wednesday night.

Batavia jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one out, Breyvic Valera was hit by a pitch by Cyclones starter Gabriel Ynoa. Patrick Wisdom then singled on a ground ball to left field. With David Washington batting, Ynoa released a wild pitch that allowed both runners to move into scoring position. Washington, however, struck out swinging. Ynoa then threw another wild pitch – this time with Jesus Montero at bat – to score Valera. Montero stranded Wisdom at third as he grounded out to shortstop Phillip Evans.

The Muckdogs hit Ynoa for another run in the fifth. Roberto De La Cruz led off with a single to left and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Steven Ramos. Ynoa got Alex Mejia to pop out to first baseman Jayce Boyd in foul territory, but then allowed a single to Valera to plate De La Cruz.

Meanwhile, Batavia starter Ben Freeman held the Cyclones scoreless until the sixth. Boyd singled on a line drive to right to reach base. Two batters later, Freeman threw a wild pitch to move Boyd to second. Back-to-back home runs by Alex Sanchez andStefan Sabol then gave Brooklyn a 3-2 advantage. Sanchez homered to left, scoring Boyd, while Sabol hit a solo shot to center field.

That ended the night for Freeman, as he was replaced on the mound by Jose Almarante. Freeman threw 5.1 innings, allowing the three earned runs off six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Coming in from the Batavia bullpen, Almarante surrendered a single to Nelfi Zapata, but then got Richie Rodriguez to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Ynoa earned his second win of the season, going 6.0 innings and allowing two earned runs off eight hits. He walked none and struck out five. Paul Sewald threw 3.0 scoreless innings of relief to pick up his second save.

Brooklyn Brew: The Cyclones will continue their three-game series against the Muckdogs tomorrow night in Batavia at 11:05 AM when Luis Mateo (4-2, 2.21 ERA) takes the mound for Brooklyn. (From team report)

Kingsport Off Day

The Kingsport Mets will continue their season after an off-day Wednesday on Thursday with a double header against Bristol beginning at 6:00 PM in Kingsport. The starters have not been announced yet but Steve Matz and Persio Reyes are the expected starters for the double header.