Portland Sweeps Pair From B-Mets

In cold and wet conditions, Portland swept both ends of a doubleheader from the B-Mets Wednesday night taking Game 1 3-1 before topping them 6-2 in the second contest at Hadlock Field. Binghamton has now lost 16 of 20 and five straight to Portland dating back to June 2.

Portland took Game 1 behind a three-run third inning and the stellar pitching of Japanese-born righty Junichi Tazawa. Tazawa allowed just one run on two hits in five innings to pick up his eighth win.

The B-Mets lone run in the game came with two outs in the first when Ike Davis homered for the third time in his last four games to get Binghamton on top 1-0.

Despite striking out 10 men in five innings, Brad Holt was hung with the loss as he allowed three men to score in the third inning. The first run of the frame came across when Mike Nickeas’ throw down to second attempting to nab Reid Engel stealing went into centerfield, allowing Ryan Khoury to score, tying the game at one. With two outs, Ryan Kalish doubled down the first base line to score Engel and Jorge Jimenez followed with an RBI single to score Kalish, making it 3-1.

The 10 strikeouts for Holt were the most for a Binghamton starting pitcher this season and tied his season best, which he set May 24 at Sarasota when he was with St. Lucie (High-A).

Dustin Richardson threw the final two innings scoreless to notch his second saves in as many chances.

In Game 2, Jake Ruckle made his first start of the season after throwing 10 scoreless innings of relief in three prior outings. After allowing a single run in the first inning following a double play, he was roughed up for five runs in the second inning and departed after 1.2 innings of work.

Adam Mills sparkled on the mound, especially with a 6-0 lead after two innings. He tossed five scoreless innings allowing just six hits with two strikeouts for his fifth win.

The B-Mets got on the board in the sixth inning on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of D.J. Wabick. Then in the seventh, Jonathan Malo roped an RBI double down the left field line of T.J. Large to score Ruben Tejada to make it 6-2.

Binghamton will attempt to dodge the sweep tomorrow night. The B-Mets will start the reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week RHP Dylan Owen (1-5, 5.48) and the Sea Dogs will counter with LHP Felix Doubront (5-2, 3.71). The game is scheduled for a 7:00 first pitch and the radio broadcast on Newsradio 1290 WNBF begins at 6:45 with the Horizons Federal Credit Union Pre-Game Show.