Binghamton Mets 2013 Game Notes

Binghamton Mets (16-15) at Trenton Thunder (17-14) (Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees) 

RHP Rafael Montero (3-2, 3.41) vs. RHP Jose Ramirez (0-0, 0.00)

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 • Game #33 • Away Game #19

Arm & Hammer Park • Trenton, NJ • 7:05 PM

LAST GAME: The B-Mets were held to two hits and Cory Mazzoni was tagged for five runs in a 5-0 loss to Trenton Monday night. In Mazzoni’s first start since coming off the DL, Trenton got on him early. In the first, they sent eight men to the plate, collected three hits and took advantage of an error to hang up four runs. The Thunder added to their lead in the third inning with an RBI single from Slade Heathcott. The B-Met offense could not solve Matt Tracy. The southpaw baffled the B-Mets and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Darrell Ceciliani singled. He exited the game with one out in the seventh after collecting a season-high nine strikeouts. After Aaron Dott retired the final two batters in the seventh, Brandon Pinderstruck out four over two scoreless innings to close out the game.

BINGHAMTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Rafael Montero makes his seventh start of the season for the B-Mets. He has lost his past two starts, and gave up a season-high 10 hits and seven runs in his last outing, 5/1 v ERI. Prior to that, he had won his first three decisions of the year. Montero has struck out 40 batters and only walked 4 so far in 2013. Opponents are hitting .220 against the righty, and he has lasted at least 5.0 innings in each of his six starts. Prior to 2013, Montero was ranked the #5 prospect in the Mets organization according to Baseball America.

TRENTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Jose Ramirez is pitching in his third game of the season for Trenton, and only his second start. In his first appearance out of the bullpen, 4/26 vs POR, he earned the save throwing 4.0 shutout innings to end the contest. He only allowed two base hits and walked one. His first start came 5/1 against New Hampshire. He received a no-decision after throwing 5.0 innings and giving up one unearned run on just one hit. Ramirez has been a starter throughout his Minor League career; in 2012 he went 7-6 with a 3.19 ERA in 18 starts with the Tampa Yankees. Ramirez was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent in June 2007. Prior to 2013, he was ranked the #13 prospect in the NYY organization by Baseball America.

SHUTOUT: Monday’s loss was the third time this season that Binghamton has been shut out. They are 1-3 in shutou t games in 2013. They also tied a season-low in hits (2); they also tallied only two hits 5/2 vs ERI.

STAYING AT FIRST: For the fifth time this season, the B-Mets were held without an extra-base hit in Monday’s loss. They are now 0-5 in those games.

SERIES OPENERS: After the 5-0 loss, the B-Mets are now 4-6 in series-opening games in 2013. Their overall series record is 3-3-2.

BAKER’S DOZEN: Cesar Puello went 1-for-2 on Monday, pushing his B-Met season-high hitting streak to 13 games. During the streak, Puello is hitting 15-for-47 (.319) and dates back all the way to 4/14. 

HIT OR MISS: In 2013, The B-Met run production has fluctuated. They have scored two or fewer runs in 11 different games. They have scored seven or more runs nine different times. Overall they are tied for seventh in the league with 140 runs (4.51 runs per game).

STEALING BAGS: Binghamton has stolen at least one base in 22 of the team’s 31 completed games. They rank first in the EL with 39 stolen bases in 2013. Alonzo Harris ranks fourth in the league with 11 SB, and Darrell Ceciliani is shortly behind him with 8 SB. As a team they have gone 39-for-51 in stolen base attempts (76.5).

NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets and Thunder conclude their three-game series Wednesday night. RHP Logan Verrett is scheduled to pitch against LHP Nik Turley. First pitch is at 7:05 PM with the Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show starting at 6:50 PM on WNBF.