Upper Minors: Wheeler Struggles With Command Again, Montero Hasn't Allowed A Walk In Two Starts

Las Vegas 1, Fresno 4

Mets’ top prospect Zack Wheeler picked up the loss in last night’s matchup against the Fresno Grizzlies. He pitched 5.1 innings, and struggled with his command on his fastball, walking three batters and giving up eight hits. On a positive note, he managed to strike out six batters and hold the opposing offense to one earned run. However, it wasn’t enough, as Fresno starter Yusmeiro Petit kept the Las Vegas offense in check all night.

Wheeler is now 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched with a 1.96 WHIP and it’s clear that he needs to work on his command issues before the Mets look his way. Both Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson have said that Wheeler would not get promoted unless he dominates in Triple-A this season.

The only run for Las Vegas came on a Josh Satin home run to the left field bleachers in the top of the second inning. It was his second home run of the year, and he raised his batting average to an even .500 on the night. Andrew Brown, Josh Satin and Juan Lagares all had multi-hit games in the loss.

Key Stats:

Josh Satin: 2 for 4, HR, R, RBI
Andrew Brown: 2 for 4
Juan Lagares: 2 for 4
Zack Wheeler: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Binghamton 1, Erie 2

The Binghamton Mets plated their only run in the first inning and were kept in check for the final eight innings in a 2-1 loss to the Erie Sea Wolves Tuesday night at Jerry Uht Park. The B-Mets went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, bounced into two double plays and had two runners nabbed on the bases.

Binghamton grabbed the lead with a two-out rally in the first against Erie starter Kyle Lobstein. Richard Lucas bounced a single up the middle and scored when Rhyne Hughes bounced a double off the top of the right field wall.

In his second start with the B-Mets, Rafael Montero cruised through his first five innings. The righty never faced more than four batters in any frame and allowed just one runner to reach second base.

Hughes’ RBI double was the only blemish in the game for Lobstein. The lefty settled in and finished his night with four scoreless innings, exiting in the top of the sixth for reliever Michael Morrison.

Montero’s smooth stretch came to an abrupt end in the sixth when the Sea Wolves plated their first run on a pair of doubles. Tyler Collins started the rally with a double to left and Ramon Cabrera tied the game by zipping a two-bagger to right.

Montero had to settle for the no-decision after the B-Mets failed to score in the seventh. The righty allowed one run on six hits in six innings of work. He struck out seven and did not issue any walks.

Erie grabbed the lead against reliever John Church in the seventh. James Robbins greeted the righty with a double to left, moved to third on a ground out and scored the go-ahead run on Marcus Lemon‘s sac fly.

Morrison returned for the eighth and worked around two singles to post a scoreless frame. Wilfredo Tovar led off with a single, but was picked off first by catcher James McCann. Alonzo Harris followed with a hit and stolen base, but was doubled off second to end the inning.

Justin Souza made quick work of the heart of the B-Mets order in the ninth, putting together a perfect inning to collect his second save. Morrison (1-0) allowed three hits over 2-1/3 innings for the victory. Church (0-1) suffered his first loss.

The B-Mets (4-2) wrap up their three-game series against the Sea Wolves Wednesday afternoon at 12:35 PM. RHP Cory Mazzoni (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for Binghamton against RHP Patrick Cooper (0-1, 13.50).