B-Mets Game Notes

LAST GAME:

The frustrations continued for the B-Mets Sunday
afternoon, carrying a one-run lead into the ninth inning
against Connecticut, only to see it disappear thanks to a sixrun
frame put up by the Defenders, who took the four-game
series with a 10-6 win. Binghamton has lost 6 of their last 7
games and 8 of 10 overall. Tobi Stoner pitched well enough to
win, going a season-best eight innings allowing four runs,
albeit three of them came on solo home runs. In the ninth,
Connecticut plated all their runs after a costly two-out error by
second baseman Ruben Tejada. Jackson Williams lined an
RBI single into centerfield to tie the game and soon their after,
closer Roy Merritt hit Brad Boyer with a 3-2 pitch with the
bases loaded to bring the go-ahead run into score. Mike
McBryde put the finishing touches on the comeback with a
grand slam over the left field wall for his second homer of the
game. All six runs scored of Merritt were unearned thanks to
the error that resulted in his fourth blown save of the season.
D.J. Wabick enjoyed a return to form with a 3-4 day at the
plate including two doubles and an two RBIs.

STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:

RHP Ryan Coultas will get the
ball for the opening game of the three-game set with the
Senators. He has gone six innings or better in five of his last
six starts to pace the rotation. His last start came June 3 at
Portland, providing six innings on two-run work, allowing a
season-high nine hits in the process, getting a no-decision. For
the year, Coultas is 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA which ranks sixth
among Eastern League starters. Coultas is a converted infielder
who began his pitching career as a reliever last season
for St. Lucie (High-A) appearing in 47 games with a 4.17 ERA
in 69 innings. He was the Mets’ sixth-round choice in 2004
out of UC-Davis, where he starred as a shortstop.
RHP Luis Atilano will make his ninth start of the season tonight
for Harrisburg. He had been on the disabled list with a
blister on his throwing hand. His last start came against Erie
May 27 when he tied a season-high by allowing five runs in
5.1 innings. He is 3-3 with a 6.10 ERA in 41.1 innings this
season, walking just eight men. Left-handed hitters are batting
.411 (30-73) against him. The Puerto-Rican born righty
was originally selected in the first round by the Atlanta Braves
in 2003, but was traded to the Nationals in the trade that sent
Daryle Ward to the Braves August 31, 2006. He is a member
of Washington’s 40-man roster.

LATE-INNING LETDOWNS:

The B-Mets’ last six games have
come down to the wire with each being decided in the eighth
inning or later. Binghamton is 1-5 during the current stretch
and have been outscored in the waning innings (8th-10th) 18-
5 leading to five late-inning losses.