B-Mets rocked by Rock Cats 11-2

7/25/2012 (Updated 10:05:29 PM)

NEW BRITAIN, CT -- The New Britain Rock Cats pounded out a season-high 18 hits and defeated the Binghamton Mets by an 11-2 score Wednesday afternoon at New Britain Stadium. B-Mets starter Zack Wheeler matched a career-high with ten hits allowed in his second straight loss.

For the second straight start, Wheeler got into trouble in the first inning, after a leadoff double to Aaron Hicks. Wheeler hit Oswaldo Arcia and Chris Colabello on consecutive pitches to load the bases. Deibinson Romero made the righty pay by dumping a two-run double just inside the right field line.

The Rock Cats struck again with a two-bagger in the second. With runners at the corners, Arcia lined a two-run, two-out double down the right field line, giving New Britain a 4-0 lead.

Binghamton packed all their offense against starter B.J. Hermsen in the fourth inning. After two singles and a walk loaded the bases, Jefry Marte cracked the scoreboard with an RBI single to right. Dustin Martin followed with another RBI single through the hole on the right side.

After the B-Mets cut the deficit to two in the fourth, the Rock Cats took full control of the game. New Britain finished by scoring seven unanswered runs on eleven hits over the final six innings. Binghamton managed just two runners and went hitless over their last five turns at-bat.

Wheeler (9-6) allowed two more runs on three hits in the fourth, his final inning. The righty surrendered six runs (five earned) and watched his ERA rise aboive 3.00 for the first time since early April. Edgar Ramirez surrendered three runs over two innings of relief in the fifth and sixth.

Frank Francisco, making his first rehab appearance with the B-Mets, took over in the seventh inning and allowed two runs on three hits, including two doubles. The righty recorded two outs and gave way to Brad Holt who allowed an inherited runner to score before ending the inning. Holt closed the B-Mets pitching tab with a scoreless eighth.

Hermsen (7-5) settled down and retired eleven of the final twelve batters he faced, capping the win with three shutout innings. He allowed two runs on four singles and struck out a season-high eight over seven innings. Daniel Turpen posted a perfect eighth and David Bromberg put up a shutout ninth.

The B-Mets (48-55) head back to the Southern Tier and start a four-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs Thursday night at 6:35 PM. RHP Gonzalez Germen takes the ball for Binghamton against LHP Drake Britton.

COURTESY: BMETS.COM