Wheeler Deals, Offense Rips Past R-Phils ,8-1

READING,PA – Zack Wheeler allowed just one run and struck out eight over seven inningsto lead the Binghamton Mets past the Reading Phillies by an 8-1 score Thursdaynight at FirstEnergy Stadium. Wheeler faced just three over the minimum to earnhis fifth win in as many starts.

Forthe fifth straight start, Wheeler got serious offensive support. After goingdown in order in the first against starter Jonathan Pettibone, the B-Metsoffense came alive in the second. Eric Campbell singled and Juan Lagaresdoubled to start the rally and Juan Centeno chased both home with a double downthe left field line. Pedro Zapata added an RBI single and scored later in theinning on a fielding error by first baseman Steven Lerud.

TheB-Mets tacked on a run with a sac fly by Juan Lagares in the third and postedanother crooked number in the fourth. Zapata ripped a triple to center andWheeler walked to set the table for Josh Rodriguez. The shortstop launched a1-2 pitch from Pettibone into the left field seats for his fourth homer of theseason, giving the B-Mets an 8-0 lead.

Therun support was plenty for Wheeler. The righty retired the first nine R-Philshe faced before allowing a single to Miguel Abreu in the fourth. Wheeler shookoff the hit and sat down ten consecutive as he breezed into the seventh. Hisonly blemish came in his final inning when he allowed back-to-back doubles toDarin Ruf and Brandon Tripp. It was the only run the R-Phils scored in thegame.

Wheeler(5-2) allowed just one run on three hits and struck out eight over seveninnings of work in the victory. He did not issue a walk for the second timethis season and finished one shy of his season-high in strikeouts. Over hislast five starts, the B-Mets offense has supplied nearly nine runs per game.Robert Carson took the game to the finish line with two scoreless innings ofrelief.

Pettibone(4-5) battled his way through six innings in the losing effort. Michael Ciscoadded two scoreless innings of relief and Juan Morillo closed the R-Phils’pitching tab with a blank ninth.

TheB-Mets (25-26) return to the Southern Tier and start a four-game series againstthe Akron Aeros Friday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Gonzalez German takes the moundfor Binghamton against RHP Steven Wright. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pre-gameshow begins at 6:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

from team press release