Photo by Ed Delany

El Paso (14-5) 6, Las Vegas (5-14) 3  Box Score

• Luis Guillorme SS: 1-3, BB, K, .231/.344/.308
• Johnny Monell C: 1-4, RBI, .333/.368/.333
• Phillip Evans 1B: 1-4, HR, RBI, .229/.327/.417
• Ty Kelly 2B: 2-4, HR, RBI, K, .286/.318/.651

The 51s took advantage of the recently demoted Luis Perdomo‘s control problems in the first inning, as the first three batters walked. However, the rally was diminished by Guillorme getting caught stealing third and Evans grounding into a double play, as Monell’s RBI single brought in the first run of the game.

Once again, they didn’t do much offensively for the majority of the game, scoring only two more times on solo shots by Kelly and Evans, two utility men who have hit for more power than expected in limited play so far this season.

• LHP Jason Vargas (L, 0-1, 6.75 ERA): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K
• RHP Chris Flexen (1-1, 3.79 ERA): 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K
• RHP Jacob Rhame (0-1, 9.00 ERA): 1.0 IP, H, R, 2 K

The main story of this game was the rehab start for Vargas, who is expected to start on Saturday for the Mets in San Diego. He cruised through two scoreless innings before allowing his second walk of the night along with three doubles in the third inning. This put the Chihuahuas up 3-1, but Vargas rebounded with a perfect fourth inning. He was taken out after throwing 66 pitches, 42 of which were strikes. He didn’t exactly dominate, but he pitched solidly and without injury, so his start should be taken as a positive for the Mets as he will soon be replacing Matt Harvey in the rotation.

Flexen made a rare bullpen appearance to help rest the taxed 51s bullpen, and gave up a two-run homer in the fifth before settling down for the rest of his outing. Then Rhame allowed another home run in the ninth to cap off a rough 1-6 homestand for the 51s.

Binghamtom 8 (7-8), New Hampshire 5 (11-5) Box Score

• RHP Joe Shaw (0-2, 5.87 ERA): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 4 K
• RHP Austin McGeorge (1-0, 2.16 ERA): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 K
• RHP Gerson Bautista (0-0, 3.00 ERA): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 K
• RHP Eric Hanhold (W, 2-0, 2.61 ERA): 2 IP, 1 H, 4 K
• RHP Tyler Bashlor (S, 0-0, 0.00 ERA): 1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K

Binghamton starter Joe Shaw found himself staked to a six-run lead as he toed the mound in the second inning. The right-hander kept New Hampshire scoreless through the first three, striking out four in the process. However, Shaw found trouble in the fourth when he gave up back-to-back homers to Cavan Biggio and Max Pentecost to begin the frame.

Austin McGeorge relieved Shaw before he could complete four full innings. Eric Hanhold was awarded the win in relief as he stomped out the Fisher Cat’s fire with 2 scoreless innings, allowing just a single and striking out four. Tyler Bashlor picked up the save despite two hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Bashlor was helped out when Patrick Mazeika threw out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trying to steal third.

• Peter Alonso 1B: 1-for-2, 2B, 3 BB, .346/.414/.620
• Patrick Mazeika C: 2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, K, .224/.296/.388
• Matt Oberste DH: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, K, .208/.208/.484
• Tim Tebow LF: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, .217/.267/.357

Binghamton came out swinging against New Hampshire starter Francisco Rios. The first five Rumble Ponies that came to bat all scored, capped by back-to-back home runs put up by Patrick Mazeika, a three-run shot, and Matt Oberste. Tim Tebow added an RBI double later in the frame and Binghamton had a six-run cushion after an inning. A fifth inning solo homer by Levi Michael and an Oberste sac-fly in the sixth would wind up being all that Binghamton could muster for the rest of the night, but it proved enough to outlast the potent New Hampshire lineup.

Both the St. Lucie Mets and Columbia Fireflies were postponed. Mojo Hill completed the Las Vegas portion of this recap.