BINGHAMTON METS 2012 GAME NOTES

Binghamton Mets (52-57) vs.
Harrisburg Senators (53-58)
Double-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals

RHP Cory Mazzoni (4-3, 3.21) vs. RHP Chien-Ming Wang (1-2, 3.31)
Game #110 • Thursday, August 2, 2012
NYSEG Stadium • Binghamton, NY • 6:35 PM


LAST GAME: The Harrisburg Senators scored all their runs with two outs and handed the Binghamton Mets a 3-2 defeat last night at NYSEG Stadium. The B-Mets were limited to five hits and had just two at-bats with runners in scoring position. In his return to the B-Mets after a brief stay with the Buffalo Bisons (AAA), Gonzalez Germen suffered the loss. The righty struck out seven and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over seven innings. Binghamton scored their only run against winning pitcher Kevin Pucetas in the fifth on an RBI single by Germen. Dustin Martin crossed home with Binghamton’s other run in the seventh on a throwing error by catcher Devin Ivany. Frank Francisco threw a scoreless inning in his fifth rehab appearance and Armando Rodriguez closed the B-Mets tab with a shutout ninth. Patrick McCoy stranded the tying run on base in the ninth to earn his second save.

STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP: RHP Cory Mazzoni (4-3, 3.21) makes his eighth start of the season and first against the Harrisburg Senators. Mazzoni collected his fourth win in his last start against the Portland Sea Dogs on July 27. In the first game of a doubleheader, he allowed just one run on four hits and struck out five over six innings. In five starts in July, the Pennsylvania native went 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA.

RHP Chien-Ming Wang (1-2, 3.31) takes the mound for his fourth rehab start with the Harrisburg Senators. Wang threw six innings in his last start against the Trenton Thunder and suffered the loss in a game shortened to six and a half innings due to rain. Wang allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out two. Wang suffered a right hip strain in early July. He has made seven appearances (four starts) with the Washington Nationals (NL), going 2-3 with a 7.61 ERA. Opponents hit .378 against the native of Taiwan in 23.2 innings on the hill. Signed by the New York Yankees in May 2000, Wang has logged 127 Major League games (119 starts) over seven seasons. He was initially acquired by the Nationals as a free agent in February 2010.

BELIEVE IN THE BULLPEN: The Binghamton Mets bullpen has not allowed a run in the last six games, spanning the entire homestand. Thirteen calls to the bullpen during that time have been answered by 12.2 shutout innings. The pen has allowed just nine hits, handed out two walks and racked up 19 strikeouts. They have lowered their ERA from 4.53 to 4.34.

STARTER STREAK CONTINUES: The B-Mets starting rotation has recorded the decision in each of the last 12 games. Binghamton starters have gone 6-6 over the stretch, averaged just under six innings per start and compiled a 4.90 ERA.

SLUMPING ON HUMP DAY: Last night was Binghamton’s thirteenth loss on a Wednesday this season, the most of any day of the week.

MARTIN MAKING IT HAPPEN: Binghamton Mets outfielder Dustin Martin singled in the seventh inning last night, extending his hitting streak to a season-long seven games. He has gone 11-for-21 (.524) during the stretch with 7 RBI and three multi-hit games.

ROUGH WELCOME BACK: B-Mets outfielder Raul Reyes played in his first B-Mets game since May 28 last night. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

REHAB CONTINUES: B-Mets reliever Frank Francisco worked around a double and an error to put up a scoreless inning last night in his fifth rehab outing in Binghamton. After allowing two runs in his B-Mets debut on July 25, he has put up four straight scoreless outings.

RUBBER MATCH: The B-Mets look for their third straight series win tonight. They are 4-3 in rubber games this season.

NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets head south for the weekend to take on the Reading Phillies in a four-game series spanning three days. Pennsylvania native LHP Darin Gorski gets the ball in the opener against newly acquired starter RHP Ethan Martin.