SACRAMENTO 6, LAS VEGAS 5
The Las Vegas 51’s surrender a 5-4 lead late as the Sacramento River Cats score two runs in the 8th to take the game 6-5. Las Vegas was cruising right along until the 6th inning until the Sacramento bats woke up putting four runs on the board. Logan Verrett started the game for the 51’s and was having a very economical outing and looked like he was on his way to his third win of the season until the offensive outburst. Verrett went six innings giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits with no walks or strikeouts. Zack Thorton and Buddy Carlye were called upon to stop the bleeding but couldn’t get the job done as they each allowed a run. Josh Satin hit his first home run since joining the 51’s and went 2-for-4 on the night. The second game of the series is scheduled for Saturday with Joel Carreno schedule to make his second start. (box score)
BINGHAMTON 3, NEW BRITAIN 2
Kevin Plawecki hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, as the Binghamton Mets topped the New Britain Rock Cats 3-2. The home run was Plawecki’s third of the season and second in as many games which help stop the B-Mets five-game losing streak. Tyler Pill who has had his struggles this season started on Friday and pitched well, going six solid giving up just one run with five strikeouts. It was his longest outing so far this season. Jon Velasquez came in and blew the save, but was bailed out by Plawecki. Chase Bradford closed things out earning his ninth save of the season. Plawecki went 2-for-4 with the home run and drove in two of the Mets three runs. The second game of the four game series is scheduled for Saturday with Hansel Robles on the mound. (box score)
ST. LUCIE 6, CLEARWATER 2
Matt Koch picked up his sixth win of the season and Seth Lugo his third save, as the St. Lucie Mets take down the Clearwater Threshers 6-2. Koch picked up his fifth win in a row and the third start in a row where he went at least six innings. St. Lucie would score two in the first and one in the third and that would be all they needed. For insurance they added three more runs in the eighth inning. Brandon Nimmo continues to produce going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI raising his average to .345. Dilson Herrera also added a pair of hits as the leadoff hitter reached base three times in this game. The Mets swept the four-game series from the lowly Threshers and have now won five in a row. They are on the road for two against the Palm Beach Cardinals starting Saturday with Gabriel Ynoa going for the Mets. (box score)
LEXINGTON 6, SAVANNAH 5 – 13 INNINGS
It would take almost an extra half of a game to decide a winner against the SandGnats and the Legends. A walk-off single by Lexington’s Humberto Arteaga in the 13th inning would decide it. Robert Gsellman made his second start after returning from the disabled list and struggled through his 5.1 innings, surrendering five runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts. Robert Coles would get his first loss of the season giving up the game-winning hit. Coles who has been tremendous all season just couldn’t get the job done tonight. The loss snaps a three-game win streak for the SandGnats. Saturday is the third game of the four-game series against the Legends. John Gant will get the start seeking his fifth win. (box score)
METS MINORS PLAYER of the NIGHT
With his sixth win of the season and fifth in a row, Matt Koch is the Mets Minors Player of the Night. In eight starts this season he is 6-0 with an ERA of 2.83. He isn’t overpowering anyone at the plate but he is getting the job done. He has matched his win total already from a season ago.