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MMN Recap: Vientos Homers for Syracuse, Butto Dazzles Again

By Sam Klein

April 15, 2022 No comments

Mark Vientos, Photo by James Farrance

AAA: Columbus Clippers (6-3) 11 vs. Syracuse Mets (1-7) 5 Box Score

  • CF Nick Plummer2-for-4, HR, 2 R, K
  • 3B Mark Vientos2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB, .217/.357/.435
  • SS Matt Reynolds: 1-for-2, HR, K, .118/.238/.294

While Syracuse’s brutal start to the season continued, there were some positives (at least offensively) to take away from this game. Mark Vientos recorded a pair of hits including his first home run of the season, a three-run shot off left-hander Zach Draper. Nick Plummer made an impact as well in his Syracuse debut, with a solo home run to lead off the third inning.

The pitching in Syracuse has been…not great. Jose Rodriguez was roughed-up again, allowing three earned runs before making it out of the second inning. The bullpen didn’t fare much better – Alvarez, Alex Claudio, and Anthony Vizcaya combined to allow eight runs (five earned) in four innings. Stephen Nogosek pitched the lone scoreless inning, working around a hit batter in the eighth.

AA: Bowie Baysox (3-3) 10 vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies (2-4) 2 Box Score

With Francisco Alvarez getting the night off, the Rumble Ponies struggled to generate much offense on Thursday. They were held scoreless until a Zach Ashford solo home run in the eighth. It was the first homer in AA for the 2019 sixth-round pick, after hitting just one last season in Brooklyn. Vasquez drove in the Rumble Ponies’ other run on a base hit in the ninth. Mauricio came out of the game after being hit in the ankle by a pitch in the ninth. He was able to walk off the field on his own power, but there’s been no further update on his status for Friday’s game.

Despite earning the loss, Butto was excellent again and he should continue to rise up prospect rankings. He allowed only one earned run while striking out nine Baysox in 4 1/3 innings. Butto was pulled after allowing a solo home run to Toby Welk, and the Binghamton bullpen failed to keep the game close. Butto has now allowed only one run in 8 1/3 innings over two starts, with a ridiculous 17-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio,

Nate Fisher pitched well initially in relief, striking out four, but couldn’t record an out in the seventh inning where he and Edwards would combine to allow eight runs. Otanez pitched well in a mop-up role, allowing just one baserunner over the final two innings while striking out three.

A+: Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws: Rained Out (Re-Scheduled Sunday 4/16)

Keyshawn Askew, Photo by Ed Delany of MMN

A: St. Lucie Mets (5-1) 4 vs. Clearwater Threshers (0-6) 3 Box Score

St. Lucie plated four runs on seven hits in Thursday’s one-run victory. Raul Beracierta was the lone Met to record a multi-hit game, and would eventually score the winning run in the seventh inning. Consuegra and Dominguez both kept up their strong opening weeks, with Consuegra adding his fourth RBI and Dominguez stealing his second base.

Beracierta had the hardest hit ball of the night at 113.6 mph.

Askew was decent in his second start of the season, allowing only two hits and a walk in four innings, but Clearwater made the most of their limited early chances scoring a run in the first, third, and fourth innings. Askew was up to 92 mph on his fastball in his second start of the season.

However, the Mets bullpen shut down the Thrashers, with three pitchers combining for 12 strikeouts in five scoreless innings. Nathan Lavender, a 14th-round pick in 2021 out of Illinois, earned the win and Daniel Juarez picked up his first save of the year.

Lavender had a 70% whiff rate (7 of 10) on his fastball that peaked at 93 mph. Juarez had a impressive fastball was well, with 57% whiff rate and also dialed it up to 93 mph.