Strong pitching and timely hitting lifted Binghamton over New Britain as the B-Mets won their fourth game in a row to keep pace in a tight Eastern League pennant race. Reading downed Bowie to stay one-half game in front of Binghamton and a full game ahead of Trenton who lost 5-4 in Portland.

Recent pitching brilliance by Binghamton starting pitchers has carried the B-Mets since early July. Seth Lugo continued the stating pitching mastery throwing 7 strong innings allowing only 1 run on four hits, while striking out 8 and walking only 1 batter. Lugo’s performance marks the 12th consecutive game where B-Met starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs dating all the way back to July the 7th.

Binghamton starting pitchers have had remarkable control over that time striking out a combined 55 batters while walking only 15. For his part, Lugo has been on a recent tear winning his last three outings pitching 18 innings and allowing only a lone earned run. Lugo has fanned 18 batters and walked only 5 in his last three starts.

The Binghamton bats were mostly silent in New Britain but consecutive fourth inning RBI doubles by Michael Conforto, Brock Peterson and Btrandon Nimmo provided all the firepower the Binghamton pitchers would need in preserving the 3-2 victory. L.J. Mazzilli singled to lead off the B-Met fourth.

The win raises Binghamton’s record to 51-43 as the B-Mets stay hot in a tight Eastern League pennant chase. Only 1.5 games separates the four top teams in the Eastern League’s Eastern Division.