TACOMA 5, LAS VEGAS 4

Logan Verrett took the loss for the 51’s in their matinee affair at Cashman Field. Verrett gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings of work. He struck out four and walked one. Verrett fell to 1-2 and his ERA sits at 4.97 on the year. The 51’s bullpen performed admirably in relief of Verrett. The combination of Zach Thornton, Josh Edgin, and Miguel Socolovich pitched four innings of scoreless ball to keep the 51’s close. Offensively, the bats fell a little short, however.  Danny Muno went 3 for 3 and Matt den Dekker and Cesar Puello chipped in with two hits apiece. Allan Dykstra drove in a run on a walk and was 1 for 2 on the day. His on base percentage sits at a robust .520 and he’s reached base safely in nine of his last ten games.  The 51’s start a four game series with their interstate rival, the Reno Aces, on Monday. Dana Eveland (2-0) will take the hill for the 51’s. (box score)

BINGHAMTON 9, ERIE 6

The B Mets improved to 12-8 on the year, helped in large part to a nine run offensive outburst in the fourth inning. Travis Taijeron‘s  three run homerun was the biggest hit of the inning. Matt Reynolds, Bryan Burgamy and Kevin Johnson chipped in with RBI hits and Kevin Plawecki was helped out on a ground ball that went through the wickets of Eerie third baseman Francisco Martinez that allowed two more runs to score. All of that offense didn’t agree with Binghamton starter Rainy Lara, however. Lara, who had cruised thru three scoreless innings, got smacked around in the fourth.  He allowed six runs (all earned) on eight hits, while walking two in 3.2 innings of work. Lara struck out one and watched his ERA soar to 3.68. The B Mets’ bullpen did their part though, pitching 5.1 innings of scoreless ball and allowed just three men to reach base safely the rest of the way. Jon Velasquez got the win, going two perfect innings while striking out four. Binghamton opens a series against Akron on Monday. Right hander Tyler Pill gets the nod for the Mets.  (box score)

BRADENTON 7, ST LUCIE 6

Luis Cessa got the start for St Lucie at Tradition Field on Sunday. Cessa took the loss,  surrendering seven runs (five earned) on six hits and five walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out just one and fell to 0-3 on the year. The St. Lucie pen didn’t allow a run the rest of the way,  hurling 2.2 innings of shutout baseball.  The Mets offense was led by Philip Evans who went 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Alderlin Rodriguez and Albert Cordero added two hits apiece. A late rally fell a little short when Cordero grounded out with two men on in the ninth. The Mets begin a three game set with the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Monday in St Lucie.  (box score)

LAKEWOOD 6, SAVANNAH 5

It was a nice day for a pair of first round draft picks. Shortstop Gavin Checchini, the Mets’ 2012 first round pick went 3 for 5 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. 2013’s first round selection, Dominic Smith, went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Second baseman LJ Mazzilli, the son of former Met Lee Mazzilli,  went 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBI, and a run scored. All of that offense wasn’t enough though, as Chris Flexen (1-2) struggled thru 3 tough innings. Flexen allowed six runs, all of them earned, on four hits and four walks.  The Savannah pen did admirable work the rest of the way as the combination of Dario Alvarez and Akeel Morris pitched five shutout innings while striking out nine. The Sand Gnats now sit at 14-8 on the year and will take on Delmarva starting Tuesday. Kevin McGowan (0-1 5.27) gets the start for the Gnats.  (box score)

PLAYER OF THE NIGHT

It was a rough day for Mets’ affiliates as everyone took a loss. The one bright spot on the day without question was the systems’ bullpens. All told, the pens combined for seventeen innings of SCORELESS work and managed to keep things close despite some shoddy starting pitching. The Savannah pen impressively struck out nine and currently lead the South Atlantic League with 10.22 strikeouts per nine innings.

(Photo credit: MiLB.com)