BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Mets pounded out 16 hits en route to a 9-4 win over the Trenton Thunder Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. Gavin Cecchini led the way with four hits and four RBI, including his seventh home run of the season. LJ Mazzilli added his second four-hit game of the year, as Rainy Lara won his first start back with Binghamton.


The B-Mets took three of four from Trenton to win their third consecutive series. Binghamton is now a half game out of first place, the closest they've been since having a share of first on April 21st.


Trenton struck first when Taylor Dugas doubled and Francisco Arcia homered to right field in the second inning. Lara had previously retired the first five batters he faced.


Binghamton got on the board in the home half, when Caleb Smith walked two of the first three batters he faced. With two outs, Cecchini stroked his first hit of the day to centerfield to drive in Joe Benson.


Trenton got the run back in the next half inning, when Cito Culver led off the third with a homer to left field, his third of the season. After allowing three hits and three runs in a four batter span, Lara responded by setting down the next 13 batters he faced. The starter recorded 15 outs from the final 15 batters he faced, coming out after seven innings of work.


Binghamton drew closer in the fourth when Xorge Carrillo led off with his fifth home run of the year to left field.


Binghamton took the lead for good an inning later. After allowing back-to-back hits, Smith gave way to the bullpen following four innings of work. After recording the first out, reliever Connor Mullee hit Carrillo with a pitch to load the bases. Mullee followed by walking Gilbert Gomez to tie the game. Cecchini then singled to center for his second RBI single of the day.


Michael Conforto tripled to lead off the sixth and, with two outs, came in to score on a Josh Rodriguez single slapped the other way to right field. Cecchini would add another run an inning later, drilling his seventh home run to left field for his third hit.


Cesar Vargas walked two of the first four batters he faced in the eighth, while striking out the other two. With two outs, Gilbert Gomez singled to left for Binghamton's seventh run. Cecchini followed with an RBI base hit to right field, his fourth of the day. Mazzilli then notched his fourth hit with a single to left to cap the B-Met scoring.


Trenton got back on the scoreboard in the ninth with a run against Josh Smoker, before the southpaw struck out the final two batters of the game.


Lara (5-2) allowed three runs in seven innings, earning the win in his first start with the B-Mets since June 9th. Smith (8-5) allowed eight hits and four runs in four innings pitched. He one-hit Binghamton in his first start against the B-Mets back on June 4th.


The B-Mets (50-43) head to New Britain to kick off a three game series Monday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Seth Lugo gets the ball against RHP Shane Carle.


(Courtesy: Binghamton Mets Baseball)