Las Vegas 7 , Salt Lake 6
The 51’s jumped out to an early three run lead on the heels of a first inning 2-run double by Wilmer Flores followed by a solo homer off the bat of Allan Dykstra. Flores stayed red hot, later adding a homerun of his own as he went 2 for 4 on the night with two runs scored and four RBI. Catcher Juan Centeno also homered and finished the night 3 for 4 at the plate. Despite the offensive support, starter Dana Eveland was unable to grab the win. The veteran southpaw lasted just three innings, surrendering four runs without striking out a single opponent. Closer Vic Black earned the save without surrendering a run despite allowing three hits in the ninth inning. The 51’s will again take on the Bees on Wednesday night, with first pitched slated for 8:35PM ET. Jacob deGrom takes the ball for Vegas looking to continue his dominant run of pitching. (box score)
New Hampshire 6, Binghamton 4
Hansel Robles took the mound for the B-Mets on Tuesday and didn’t fare too well. The Dominican right-hander managed just 5.1 innings and surrendered five runs. He also struck out five and walked one. First basemen Jayce Boyd, who has struggled mightily in 2014, had a breakout game going 4 for 4 with two doubles, a homerun, two runs scored and an RBI. Matt Clark also smashed a homerun in the third inning. Second basemen Matt Reynolds chipped in with two hits and is now hitting .337 on the season. Lefty reliever Jack Leathersich pitched a scoreless eighth inning in the losing effort. Binghamton will take on this same New Hampshire team Wednesday morning with first pitch scheduled for 10:35AM ET. Greg Peavey will start for the B-Mets in search of his second win of 2014. (box score)
Charlotte 9, St. Lucie 5
For his second straight start, left-hander Steven Matz struggled with command. He walked four batters in the game, but limited the damage to just two runs over five innings of work. Leadoff man Dilson Herrera went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a walk. Jairo Perez and Maikis De La Cruz each blasted solo homeruns. Brandon Nimmo, who started at DH, went 0 for 5 and has seen his batting average slip to .347 from .389 just a week ago. St. Lucie will head home Wednesday to take on Palm Beach at 6:35PM ET. (box score)
Player Of The Night
Binghamton first basemen Jayce Boyd earned Tuesday’s Player Of The Night honors for his 4 for 4 effort, including 3 extra base hits.
(Photo Credit: Tracy Proffitt)
Why have the Mets given up on Puello so quickly? Isn’t he the best OF prospect in the system after Nimmo in A ball? Understand he’s off to a slow start and Andrew Brown is tearing the cover off the ball, but how’s sitting on the bench going to help Puello develop? Is Wally just looking after his W/L record at the expense of development of one of the prospects a la Manuel?
They have so many guys in Vegas that one guy is going to be the odd man out. But I do agree that Puello should be getting more at bats. They might as well send him back to AA just so he can play more and then promote him from there.
Puello does have upside unlike some of the guys getting time over him, but I’ve never been much of a fan of his. His pitch recognition is poor. Although not playing isn’t going to help that.