B-Mets win with a little Trenton help

9/2/2012 (Updated 11:07:55 PM)

BINGHAMTON -- The Binghamton Mets scored three runs on three Trenton Thunder errors in the ninth inning to walk off with a 5-4 win Sunday night at NYSEG Stadium. The B-Mets collected ten hits and took advantage of four Thunder errors in the game, plating three unearned runs en route to their sixth walk-off win of the season.

Trailing by two runs in the ninth, Francisco Pena led off the inning by singling against Ryan Pope. Wilfredo Tovar hit a fly ball to the warning track to left that Shane Brown dropped, allowing Pena to move to second.

With two aboard, Pedro Zapata pushed a solid bunt down the third base line. Catcher J.R. Murphy pounced from the behind the plate, but airmailed a throw to first, allowing Pena to score. Popes first pitch to the next batter, Juan Lagares, got past Murphy and rolled to the backstop, prompting Tovar to scamper home to tie the game at four.

Zapata moved into scoring position on the wild pitch and set the table for the games final play. After fouling off three pitches with two strikes, Lagares rolled a groundball to short. Addison Maruszak fired to third in an attempt to nab Zapata, but third baseman David Adams mishandled the toss, allowing the ball to roll towards the Thunder dugout. With the ball loose, Zapata raced home with the game-winning run.

The B-Mets needed the comeback after watching an early two-run lead to gradually slip away. Binghamton capitalized on additional sloppy fielding by the Thunder in a two-run first inning. With Lagares on second, Dustin Martin hit a high, fly ball to left center that was misread by Zoilo Almonte in center and fell in for a double. Lagares moved to third and scored later in the play when Maruszaks throw to second to get Martin sailed away. Wilmer Flores doubled the lead with an RBI single to right later in the frame.

Binghamton starter Cory Mazzoni tossed two scoreless innings before allowing his only earned run in the third. Kevin Mahoney led off with a single, took third on a double and scored on Shane Browns RBI ground out.

The righty nursed a one-run lead into the sixth before shaky B-Mets fielding tied the game. The Thunder put runners at second and third, but Mazzoni battled to strike out cleanup hitter Luke Murton for the second out. Trenton caught a break and tied the game when Maruszak sent a chopper to third that Jefry Marte misplayed for an error, allowing Murphy to score.

Mazzoni returned for the seventh and put up a perfect frame before handing off to Jeff Kaplan in the eighth. The righty got the first two outs, but served up a tie-breaking solo homer to Zoilo Almonte. The Thunder added an insurance run in the ninth, but it was not enough to withstand Binghamtons late comeback.

Thunder starter Vidal Nuno allowed both runs in the first inning, but ended his night with four scoreless frames. Making his Double-A debut, Tommy Kahnle put up zeroes in the sixth and seventh and was eligible for the win until Binghamtons three-run ninth. Graham Stoneburner struck out two in a perfect eighth.

Kaplan (3-0) went from being on the hook for his first loss to earning his third win thanks to Binghamtons comeback. It was just their second win this season when trailing after eight innings. Pope (3-6) allowed three unearned runs and suffered his third blown save.

The B-Mets (68-73) conclude their 21st season Monday afternoon at 1:05 PM. RHP Gonzalez Germen gets the ball for Binghamton.

(Courtesy: B-Mets)