; ;

MMN Recap: Wright Plays 9 Innings For Vegas, Gagnon Dominates

By Matt Mancuso

August 29, 2018 No comments

Photo by Jennifer Nieves, MMN

Las Vegas (66-68) 6, Tacoma (64-69) 0   Box Score

The 51s got most of the scoring out of the way early with a four-run first inning. Kivlehan continued his monster month, raising his August line to .359/.414/.885 with 10 homers. Alonso, who will reportedly not be promoted and will simply finish his season in Las Vegas, is hitting .280/.379/.720 over his last seven games, recording a hit in six of them. Wright played his first game in Triple-A after batting .188/.235/.219 in ten games for St. Lucie. He collected a hit in his first at-bat and played nine successful innings at third base.

  • RHP Drew Gagnon (W, 6-6, 4.74 ERA): 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K

Gagnon, the PCL strikeout leader, overcame his season-long inconsistencies to pitch his best game of the season. He allowed only two singles and a walk in a complete game masterpiece, while also giving the bullpen a relaxing night off.

Binghamton(63-71) 4, Hartford(60-71) 3 Box 

Franklin Kilome’s fifth start with the Binghamton Rumbles was full of concise, effective, and dramatic.  After chucking 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball, he hit the opposing pitcher as retaliation for getting nailed earlier in the game. He was promptly ejected, setting Adam Atkins up for mop-up duty. The just-promoted sidearmer saved the pen by pitching 2.2 scoreless frames. Stephen Villines uncharacteristically struggled in his two innings of work.

It’s Jhoan Urena‘s world and we’re just living in it. On the heels of his three home-run, nine RBI performance, the 23-year-old mashed another homer. Over his last 10 games, he’s crushed to a .364/.450/.879 slash-line. Pinch-hitting in the ninth, Will Toffey homered to give the Rumble Ponies the victory.

Columbia(61-66) 11, Charleston(60-70) 2 Box

  • Tony Dibrell (W, 6-6, 3.67 ERA): 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 5 K, 2 BB
  • RHP Joshua Payne (4-3, 4.50 ERA): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 K,
  • LHP Aaron Ford (2-2, 2.28 ERA): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R,

Tony Dibrell continued his outstanding season, twirling another impressive outing. The Mets 2017 fourth rounder turned in another strong start, only allowing a run in 5.1 frames of work.

Columbia scored early and often, knocking out Charleston’s starting pitcher by the fifth inning. Every player except for Hansel Moreno tallied a hit; Moreno and Scott Manea were only ones not to record a multi-hit game. Edgardo Fermin tied a career-high with his three runs.

Brooklyn (37-32) 8, Vermont(35-38) 6 Box

Tylor Megill made his longest and best career start as the 23-year-old twirled five impressive innings. He’s impressed in both the rotation and the bullpen this year. It’ll be interesting to see if the Mets have him start or relieve next year. Joshua Walker ran into some trouble closing out the game, but Billy Oxford and Ryley Gilliam managed to stop Vermont’s rally. Gilliam should be promoted aggressively next year.

Brookyln’s offense scored seven times in the first four frames but was silenced until the eighth. The first four frames exemplified the saying how it doesn’t matter how you get on base, but as long as you get on base. In the first inning, Brooklyn scored without recording a hit. The Cyclones then scored third in the fourth inning despite only getting one hit. Altogether, Cyclones managed to have more runs than hits by the end of the game.

Johnson (30-37) 10, Kingsport (33-34) 3 Box

  • RHP Garrison Bryant(L, 1-3, 5.52 ERA): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 6 K, 4 BB
  • RHP Jose Moreno(3-0, 4.12 ERA): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 K, 2 BB
  • RHP Andrew Ryan( 0-0, 6.06 ERA): 1.1, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, K, 2 BB

Garrison Bryant cruised through the first four innings but exploded in the fifth. He struggled with his command, walking four and uncorking a wild pitch. After allowing five out of the first six batters to reach base, he was sent to the showers. Jose Moreno relieved him and after throwing two wild pitches and a single, managed to close the inning. Mets catcher Robby Kidwell had an eventful night, permitting two wild pitches and three passed balls.

A night after clinching a playoff spot, Kingsport rested a few of their regulars and their usually-potent offense failed to contribute much.  After three games off, Jarred Kelenic played all nine innings as the DH, going 1-for-5. After struggling much in his first month with the Mets, he’s surged to an impressive finish and will should begin 2019 in Columbia. Ranfy Adon, one of the more underrated prospects in the Mets system, had another fine night, tallying two hits.

Las Vegas portion of recap done by Mojo Hill.