B-Mets fall in series opener to R-Phils

8/3/2012 (Updated 8/4/2012 10:55:41 PM)

READING, PA -- The Reading Phillies tagged Darin Gorski for three home runs and defeated the Binghamton Mets 4-1 Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in the opener of a four-game series. The B-Mets were held to six hits and had just one runner reach third base.

The B-Mets used the longball to grab the lead in the first against starter Ethan Martin, acquired four days prior in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wilmer Flores welcomed Martin to the Eastern League with a solo homer to left field. It was Flores fourth homer as a B-Met and 14th overall this season.

It was the only damage Binghamton put on Martin (1-0). The righty settled down and navigated through six innings without allowing another runner to reach third base. Martin allowed just four hits, struck out six and issued only one walk.

Reading answered back forcibly in the bottom of the first against Gorski. After two quick outs, Darin Ruf launched his 19th home run of the season into the left field seats to tie the game at one.

The gopher ball bit Gorski again in the fourth. Leandro Castro started the rally with a double to left and came home when DArby Myers put a two-run shot over the left field wall, giving Reading a 3-1 lead.

Reading used one more home run to extend their lead in the sixth, Gorskis final inning. Ruf led off the frame and crushed a 1-1 pitch to left for his 20th homer of the year. Gorski finished after allowing four runs on five hits over six innings. He walked just one and struck out a season-high eight.

Binghamton failed to change their offensive production after Reading dipped into the bullpen. Jay Johnson worked around a leadoff single in a scoreless seventh and Juan Morillo posted a shutout eighth. Given a three-run lead, Justin Friend locked down his 16th save of the season with a blank ninth.

Gorski (6-6) allowed multiple home runs for the sixth time this season. The southpaw has surrendered ten in the last four games.

The B-Mets (53-58) continue their set in Reading with a doubleheader starting Saturday at 5:35 PM. RHP Greg Peavey opposes RHP Julio Rodriguez in the opener while RHP Armando Rodriguez makes the spot start against RHP Jordan Whatcott in the nightcap.

(Courtesy: B-Mets)

VIEW VIDEO