Binghamton Mets 2015 Game Notes

Binghamton Mets (8-5) vs.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (6-8)

(Double-A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays)

RHP Rainy Lara (2-0, 2.31) vs. RHP Mike Lee (0-1, 5.40)

Thursday, April 23, 2015 • Game #14 • Road Game #8

Northeast Delta Dental Stadium •  Manchester, NH • 6:35 PM

LAST GAME: The B-Mets scored four eighth inning runs Tuesday night to rally past the Erie SeaWolves, 5-2, at NYSEG Stadium. Dustin Lawley homered with an out in the eight inning to knot the game at two, and Gilbert Gomez put the B-Mets on top for good with a two out RBI single. Starter Matt Koch allowed a run and five hits in seven innings pitched, earning a no-decision. Paul Sewald picked up his first win in relief, while Jon Velasquez notched his fourth save of the year. Josh Rodriguez hit his second home run of the season. Binghamton won both games vs. Erie. The series finale was rained out Wednesday night.

BINGHAMTON STARTER: RHP Rainy Lara makes his third start of the season. He picked up a win in each of his first two outings, allowing three runs in six innings pitched last time out. Lara is making his fifth career start against the Fisher Cats, and third at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The righty went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in the four outings, with the two wins coming on the road. The 24 year-old is 5-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 road starts in his EL career.

Opponents are hitting just .211 against Lara this season.

NEW HAMPSHIRE STARTER: RHP Mike Lee is making his third start of the season, coming off a loss his last time out. The righty allowed four runs in 4.2 innings pitched against New Britain. It’s Lee’s eighth year in the minors and first full season in Toronto’s organization. He made five starts with New Hampshire last year, going 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA. Lee spent parts of the 2011 and 2012 seasons in the EL with the Portland Sea Dogs. It’s the 28 year-old’s seventh career appearance against the B-Mets. He’s 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA vs. Binghamton. Lee is winless in six career starts at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, pitching to a 3.60 ERA. He was originally drafted by Boston in the 2008, having spent time in Arizona’s organization as well.

GONE FISHIN’ Binghamton went 12-7 against the Fisher Cats last season, winning seven of 10 games played at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The B-Mets averaged 5.9 runs scored in their 10 games played in New Hampshire. This will be Binghamton’s first trip to the Granite State since a 14 inning win on May 18, 2014. Binghamton hasn’t lost a season series with the Fisher Cats since 2011. The B-Mets are 33-25 vs. New Hampshire over the past three years.

NOT GOING THE DISTANCE: Matt Koch became the third B-Mets starter this season to  make it through seven innings. Binghamton’s rotation has averaged 5.2 innings pitched per start, throwing a pitch in the seventh inning four times.

GONE AND GONE: The B-Mets homered twice Tuesday for the second time this season.

SERIES OPENERS: The B-Mets have won three of their four series openers this season. Binghamton went 4-2 last year against the Fisher Cats in series openers.

FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF: Including the postseason, the B-Mets went 19-7 last year following a day off, winning each of their last four. Binghamton was 8-4 in games after a rainout.

ALL AND NOTHING: Four B-Met pitchers combined to strike out eight batters while walking none Tuesday night. It was the second time the B-Mets didn’t issue a free pass this season. 

AINT NO REST FOR THE WICKED: Jon Velasquez became the first B-Met pitcher to throw on back-to-back days this season.

BUSTIN’ OUT: Dustin Lawley was hitless in his previous 17 at-bats, before recording two hits Tuesday night. His homer tied the game in the eighth inning.