Mets Transactions
 
After last weeks flurry of moves, the Mets made a signing earlier this week. The Mets signed pitcher Brian Lawrence to a Minor League contract. Lawrence was on the Colorado Rockies this Spring, but missed the cut and was released. He missed the entire 2006 campaign following surgery on his right shoulder.
 
 
Minor League Roundup
 
AAA – New Orleans Zephyrs (17-18)
 
5/7 – After a couple losses against the Iowa Cubs, the Zephyrs lost again getting swept, 7-1. Chip Ambres (LF) was the only offense for the Zephyrs as he hit a solo HR in the 7th inning. This home run was his fourth of the season. Philip Humber (P) (2-4) got the start and was OK. However, he gave up three runs over six hits that gave him the loss. With the negative aside, Humber did strike out seven batters without any walks.
 
5/8 – The Zephyrs losing streak hit seven games as they fell to the Tucson Sidewinders, 6-4. Carlos Gomez (CF) did not pick up a hit in the this game, but he did drive a person in. Gomez also stole his sixteenth base of the season. Very impressive by the Mets outfield prospect. Chip Ambres (LF) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Anderson Hernandez (2B) had a hit and stole two bases. Claudio Vargas (P) got the start and had some control issues. Although he struck out seven batters, he did walk five, and gave up four runs (three earned) in 4.2 innings pitch. Ryan Cullen (0-2) picked up the loss in his 2.1 innings of relief.
 
5/9 – Victory finally appeared for the Zephyrs as they defeated the Sidewinders 8-4. Carlos Gomez (CF) went 3-for-5 and hit his first home run of the season in the fifth inning. Chip Ambres (LF) continued his hot bat as he went 2-for-5 with a home run, and three RBIs. Clint Nageotte got the start but only went two innings in his no decision. Willie Colazo (1-0) pitched in relief and did a stellar job. He only allowed one run in four innings of work to pick up his first win of the season.
 
5/10 – Another win came for the Zephyrs. They doubled up the Sidewinder 6-3. Chip Ambres (LF) went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the game. Carlos Gomez (CF) went 1-for-5 with another stolen base. Gomez has stolen seventeen stolen bases this season, already! Jose Santiago (1-3) got his first win of the season and was solid. He went six innings allowing three runs on only four hits. Ambiorix Burgos had a shaky game walking three batters in two innings.
 
 
AA – Binghamton Mets (10-20)
 
5/7 – The Mets had a doubleheader against the Akron Aeros, however they lost both games 5-3 and 8-1. Fernando Martinez (CF) went 2-for-4 and had one run. Miguel Negron (RF) went 1-for-2 and knocked in two runs. Marcos Carvajal (0-2) got the loss as he gave up four runs in five innings. Carvajal also gave up five hits while striking out two.
 
In game two, the Mets had another poor pitching outing. Fernando Martinez (CF) was the only effective Mets batter as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mike Swindell (0-1) had a tough outing as he only went three innings giving up five runs and five hits.
 
5/8 – It was another doubleheader for the Mets and Aeros, this time, with mixed results. The Mets dropped the first game 4-1, but won the second game 5-1. The Mets only had four hits in the first game of the doubleheader. Their only run was scored by Brett Harper (DH) who was driven in by Corey Ragsdale (3B). Michael Devaney (0-3) didn’t have an awful outing. He was solid through six innings, but did not get the offensive support he needed.  He went six innings allowing six hits and three runs.
 
The second game featured a good game for the 5-6-7 hitters, as they drove in all of the Mets runs needed for the victory. Jose A. Reyes (C) drove in a run on a single, Brett Harper (DH) drove in three runs, and Mark Kiger drove in a run. Ricardo Morales (3-2) pitched a two hit complete game. He struck out five guys and only allowed one run to score.
 
5/9 – Trailing 6-3 in the bottom of the 9th to the Aeros, the Mets came back to tie the ball game. However, they lost in the 10th inning 7-6. Brett Harper (DH) hit a HR in the second inning to jump start the Mets. Thanks to some dismal defense by the Aeros, the Mets were able to tie the game. Salvador Aguilar got the start and went five innings allowing eight hits. He also struck out four batters. Carlos Muniz got the loss in the top of the 10th.
 
5/10 – After a tough lost, the Mets won against the Sea Dogs 4-2. Brett Harper (DH) went 2-for-4 with a solo HR. Kevin Mulvey got the start and was so-so. Mulvey did get the win but he did give up seven hits. Mulvey also struck out seven batters in his five innings of work. 

A (adv.) – St. Lucie Mets (14-20)
 
5/7 – Mets suffered a 1-0 shutout against the Fort Myers Miracle. Jose Castro (SS) had the only multi-hit game for the Mets. He went 2-for-5. Jose De La Torre (2-3) got the loss, but was outstanding. He pitched five innings, allowing only one run and a hit, but struck out eight batters. The relief pitching was also outstanding, going a combined four innings, striking out four, without giving up a hit.
 
5/8 – After a shutout loss, the Mets were defeated again by the Miracle 6-2. Daniel Murphy (3B) and Jamar Hill (DH) both drove in the only run of the game. Raul Valdez got the start, and went 3.1 innings allowing three runs and giving up four hits.
 
5/9 – The losing skid builds up to three games for the Mets. They were defeated by the Tampa Yankees 9-2. Emmanuel Garcia (2B) and Daniel Murphy (3B) each drove in a run for the Mets. Sean Henry (SS) went 1-for-5 with a stolen base. Jonathan Niese (2-2) was not sharp in the game. He allowed eight hits and six runs over 4.1 innings.
 
5/10 – A four game losing streak appeared to the Mets. They got shutout by the Yankees 4-0. Three guys had two hits game, but the other could not drive them in. Eric Brown (3-2) got the start but gave up ten hits on six innings. He struck out five batters, but did allow four runs to score.
 
 
A – Savannah Sand Gnats (7-25)
 
5/8 – The Savannah Sand Gnats had an odd-frame in their 7-4 win, against the Charleston River Dogs, scoring six runs in the fourth inning. D.J. Wabick (LF) went 1-for-2 with a three-RBI double. Leivi Ventura (3B) went 1-for-3 with a double. Hector Pellot (DH) stole his eleventh base of the season. Greg Mullens (2-0) was good. He went five innings giving up four runs (one earned) and allowing five hits. Mullens also struck out a batter.
 
5/9 – After a good win against the River Dogs, the Sand Gnats fell 10-3. Francisco Pena (C) went 2-for-4, including his first HR of the season in the sixth inning. Luis Rivera (SS) went 2-for-3. Josh Stinson (1-4) got the start and was hit up. He gave up five hits and five runs (three earned) in only 2.1 innings pitched. Emary Frederick pitched one inning, and surrendered two runs on two hits, while walking a batter.
 
5/10 – A tough lost for the Sand Gnats as they lost 10-6. Leivi Ventura (3B) went 2-for-4 with a two RBI triple. Sean McGraw (C) went 2-for-3 with a double and a HR. Tobi Stoner got roughed up in his start. He went 4.2 innings but gave up eight hits and six runs. McGraw did strike out two batters.