B-Mets Game Notes

LAST GAME:

For the first time all year, the B-Mets have lost
four straight thanks to a 7-5 loss last night at the hands of the
Rock Cats. New Britain scored the first five runs on the ball
game before Binghamton tallied two runs in the bottom of the
eighth inning on a bases-loaded two-run single from Josh
Petersen. B-Mets’ starter Ryan Coultas made the start and
gave up a season-high four runs in six innings to fall to 3-2 for
the year. Oddly enough, the two runs given up by reliever Nick
Abel in the ninth proved to be the difference as Binghamton
rallied for three runs on five hits in the ninth off New Britain
closer Anthony Slama to cut the margin to two, but that was
as close as it got. The B-Mets set a season-high with 17 hits,
but for the second straight game, Binghamton grounded into
three rally-killing double plays. Matt Fox picked up the win
going 5.1 innings for the fifth straight start allowing just six
hits. The Rock Cats have now won an Eastern League-best
seven straight.

STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:

RHP Dylan Owen will make
his ninth start of the season tonight at NYSEG Stadium. Owen
is coming of his longest start of the season, throwing 6.1
innings at Connecticut May 19 giving up a season-high 9 hits,
but limiting the Defenders to two runs in a no-decision. Owen
is 0-3 with a 6.18 ERA in 39.1 innings and is tied for second
in the Eastern League with 22 walks. He made just three
starts for the B-Mets last season after spending the majority
of the season with St. Lucie (High-A) where he tied for the
Florida State League-lead with 12 wins. Owen was the Mets’
20th-round pick in 2007 out of Francis Marion University (SC).
RHP Jeff Manship will get the call for New Britain looking for
his fourth win. Manship picked up a win in his last start despite
giving up four runs in five innings at Reading in the opening-
game of the Rock Cats’ seven-game roadtrip May 19. He is
3-3 with a 6.42 ERA in 8 starts spanning 40.2 innings. The
Twins took Manship in the 14th round of the 2006 draft out of
Notre Dame where he was the Big East Pitcher of the Year for
the Fighting Irish, leading the team with 9 wins and 111
strikeouts. He is considered the 11th best prospect in Minnesota’s
system according to Baseball America. Manship is
rated as the fourth-best right-handed starter on the farm.

17 HITS IN A LOSS?:

Binghamton set a new season-high with
17 hits last night in a 7-5 loss to New Britain. The total bested
their 14 hit-parade at Portland April 28, a game they also lost,
9-8 to the Sea Dogs. In 40 games, the B-Mets have pounded
out 10 hits or better in 18 games, but have managed to win
just half of those games. For the year, Binghamton is hitting
.267, third best in the Eastern League, but are hitting
just .232 with runners in scoring position.