B-Mets avoid R-Phils sweep with 8-5 win

6/14/2012 (Updated 6/15/2012 12:51:07 PM)

BINGHAMTON -- The Binghamton Mets snapped a three-game losing streak and avoided getting swept by the Reading Phillies in an 8-5 win Thursday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. The B-Mets pounded out eleven hits, including nine over the final three innings, to improve to 13-7 in series finales.

After sweeping a doubleheader yesterday, the R-Phils jumped out to an early lead against B-Mets starter Zack Wheeler. Tim Kennelly walked to start the game and moved station-to-station, eventually scoring when Brandon Tripp beat out a potential inning-ending double play.

The B-Mets wasted little time to erase the deficit against starter Austin Hyatt. Juan Lagares reached on a walk and scored three batters later when Eric Campbell lifted a double to the right field alley. Dustin Martin chased Campbell home with another double, shooting a two-bagger to left-center.

Down by one, Reading responded in the third against Wheeler. Kennelly shot a one-out double down the third base line and came home on an RBI single by Miguel Abreu to tie the game at two.

Wheeler battled back with two scoreless innings before surrendering his final run in the sixth. Leandro Castro sent a two-out double to right field and came home with the go-ahead run on Jeremy Barnes' single to right center. Wheeler capped his day by inducing Troy Hanzawa to ground out. The righty exited after six innings, having allowed a season-high three runs on seven hits.

After allowing two runs on two hits in the first, Hyatt kicked into cruise control. The righty retired the next 13 B-Mets he faced, breezing into the sixth inning. The streak came to an abrupt halt when Lagares scorched a triple to center. Reese Havens tied the game at three with a single to center. Following a double by Campbell that ended Hyatt's day, reliever Frank Gailey entered and picked up two outs to end the threat.

Edgar Ramirez took over in the seventh and preserved the tie game, working around a fielding error by third baseman Jefry Marte and a walk to put up a scoreless inning.

The B-Mets took the lead for good in the seventh without a single ball leaving the infield. Juan Centeno started the inning with an infield single against Gailey and Pedro Zapato followed with a walk. Pinch hitter Joe Bonfe loaded the bases by sneaking a bunt single towards third. Lagares gave Binghamton the lead by working out a bases-loaded walk.

With one out and the bases loaded, Gailey was replaced by Juan Morillo. The righty induced Jefry Marte to hit a dribbler back to the mound. Morillo's throw home sailed to the backstop, allowing Bonfe to score. Binghamton packed on four more runs in the eighth against Morillo, tagging the righty for four singles and taking advantage of two more bases-loaded walks.

After Brad Holt posted a perfect eighth, the B-Mets handed a five-run lead to Adrian Rosario in the ninth. The righty could not cap the game, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. With two aboard and the tying run at the plate, Robert Carson came in and induced Sebastian Valle to fly out to center to end the game.

Ramirez (1-1) picked up his first win as a B-Met since July 14, 2011 while Carson earned his fourth save. Gailey (2-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) in one inning of relief.

The B-Mets (30-32) kick off a three-game series against the Altoona Curve, affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday night at 7:05 PM.

Courtesy: bmets.com

VIEW VIDEO