8/16/09

Reading 1, Binghamton 0




Scoring was at a premium Sunday afternoon at First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA. Both Binghamton and Reading were held off the scoreboard through the first eight and a half innings until the Phillies broke through with a run in the last of the ninth to walk off with a 1-0 win thanks to a B-Mets error.

Binghamton (46-73) lefty Roy Merritt began the ninth on the bump after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. Domonic Brown broke through with a double to left-center to open the frame. Trying to advance Brown to second, Brian Stavisky failed to get a bunt down resulting in an unproductive out. Merritt then intentionally passed Neil Sellers a right-handed hitter to set up the conventional double play with runners at first and second.

Manager Mako Oliveras then went to the bullpen for side-arming righty Emary Frederick hoping to induce a groundball. Frederick got a ground ball from Ryan Mahar to the right side of the infield. Second baseman Jose Coronado gloved the roller to his left, but fell over afterwards. While on his back, he attempted a throw to get Mahar at first, but overthrew first baseman Ike Davis allowing Brown to score from first to win the game 1-0.

Eric Niesen started for Binghamton and struck out eight men over five innings in the no-decision. He has now struck out 26 men in his last 16 innings. Jake Ruckle followed him with two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Merritt was charged with his fifth loss for allowing an unearned run in 1.1 innings.

The B-Mets managed just two hits in the game. Ike Davis had one of them and walked twice to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

Reading (65-55) starter Mike Stutes tossed seven, shutout innings and struck out a season-best nine men, but also did not factor in the decision. Southpaw Sergio Escalona hurled the final two innings scoreless with a strikeout to notch his first win.

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