Binghamton Mets 2013 Game Notes

Binghamton Mets (5-4) vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6-4) (Double-A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays)

 RHP Rafael Montero (1-0, 1.54) vs. RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-1, 0.69)

Sunday, April 14, 2013 • Game #11 • Home Game #4

NYSEG Stadium • Binghamton, NY • 1:05 PM

LAST GAME:  The B-Met pitching staff issued nine walks on the way to a 6-1 loss to New Hampshire Saturday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. Starting pitcher Erik Goedell walked four hitters in 4.1 innings before being removed from the game, and the bullpen fared no better. In the sixth, the combination of Adrian Rosario and John Church walked four hitters, including three with the bases loaded. For the inning, New Hampshire scored three runs on just one hit. The B-Mets took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI fielder’s choice by Richard Lucas. Fisher Cat starter Ryan Tepera breezed through the next five innings, allowing no more than four B-Mets to come to the plate in an inning. Fernando Hernandez threw the final three innings for New Hampshire, and earned his first save of 2013. The B-Mets threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with nobody out, but they couldn’t push a run across.

BINGHAMTON STARTING PITCHER:  RHP Rafael Montero starts for the third time in 2013. Through two starts, he has posted a 1-0 record with a 1.54 ERA. Montero has shown great control of his pitches, striking out 15 hitters without walking any. In his last outing, he threw six innings, gave up six hits and one run, en route to a no decision. Binghamton wound up losing the game 2-1 against the Erie Seawolves.

NEW HAMPSHIRE STARTING PITCHER:  RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx makes his third start of the season, in his first year in the Toronto organization. In his last start he was tagged with the loss after throwing seven strong innings. He finished the game giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits in the loss. On Opening Day, he got the win against Reading after throwing six shutout innings. Bibens-Dirkx was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 16th round of the 2006 draft out of Portland University. He has also played in the Cubs, Nationals, and Rockies organizations.

SHAKY STARTS: After Binghamton starting pitchers went at least 5.0 innings in every start through the first seven games, the past two have failed to get through the fifth inning. On Friday, Tyler Pill was taken out after 4.0 innings, and Erik Goedell was pulled after 4.1 in yesterday’s loss.

LOOKING FOR A SPLIT: This season the B-Mets have a series record of 1-0-1. With a win today, they will earn a series split with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. In 2012, Binghamton went 18-18-7 in their series.

BASES ON BALLS: In yesterday’s loss, the B-Mets walked nine batters, three coming with the bases loaded. That is the highest mark so far this season, and the most for the B-Mets since June 28, 2012 against the Bowie Bay Sox.

GETTING OUTHIT: The B-Mets have been outhit by their opponent in seven of the nine games this season. In those games, the B-Mets are 3-4.

RISP NUMBERS: Through nine games, the B-Mets have posted a 5-4 record. In their five wins, they have hit .300 (18-60) with RISP. They have struggled with RISP in their four losses, hitting 093 (3-32). In last night’s 6-1 loss to New Hampshire, Binghamton finished 0-for-8.

MAKING PLAYS: The B-Mets have the highest fielding percentage in the league (.976), committing just eight errors in nine games. While the entire team has been solid defensively, the infield has done extremely well. Only two errors have been made by B-Met infielders, both by Richard Lucas.

FAILURE TO RETIRE LEADOFF MAN: In this series, the Fisher Cat leadoff men have gotten on base in 16 of the 27 innings through three games. 

NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets face the Portland Sea Dogs for the first time in 2013 Monday night at NYSEG Stadium. RHP Cory Mazzoni will make his first home start of the season, and he will face RHP Anthony Ronaudo.