Portland 4, Binghamton 3

Linares’ Blast Spoils Wheeler’s StellarOuting, 4-3

PORTLAND,ME – Zack Wheeler struck out nine Sea Dogs and stood to be the winner untilJuan Carlos Linares launched a two-run home run in the eighth inning inPortland’s 4-3 comeback win over the Binghamton Mets tonight at Hadlock Field.

Forthe second straight game, the B-Mets jumped out to an early lead against Portlandstarter Chris Hernandez. After Matt den Dekker doubled off the right field walland Allan Dykstra reached on a fielding error, Eric Campbell conquered the “MaineMonster” with a three-run bomb. The B-Mets first baseman launched a 1-2 pitchover the 37-foot left field fence for his first home run of the season.
B-Mets starter Zack Wheeler settled in from the get-go. The right-hander struckout the side in order in the first and fanned Dan Butler in the second to makeit four in a row.

Wheelerbreezed through four innings before pitching himself into trouble in the fifth.Following a leadoff single by Oscar Tejeda, Wheeler hit two batters in a row toload the bases. The righty from Georgia escaped unharmed by fanning Ryan Dentand Bryce Brentz and inducing Derrik Gibson to bounce out back to the mound.

Portlandfinally broke through with their first of four unanswered runs in the sixth. Followingconsecutive hits against Wheeler, Oscar Tejeda plated the Sea Dogs’ first runwith a sac fly to right.

Binghamtonsearched for insurance in the seventh by loading the bases on three straightsingles and chasing Eammon Portice from the game. Caleb Clay entered with no outsand changed the momentum. The righty forced Juan Lagares to pop out and inducedAllan Dykstra to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

Wheeler’snight was done after six frames. He allowed just one run on five hits andstruck out nine. He did not issue any walks. The Sea Dogs welcomed the changewith open arms. Erik Turgeon took over in the seventh and allowed a solo homerun to Bryce Brentz to cut Binghamton’s lead to one.

Thelead disappeared on one swing in the eighth against Turgeon. With a man aboard,Linares ripped a 1-0 pitch over the “Maine Monster” to give Portland a 4-3lead.

AaronKurcz made the lead stick with a scoreless ninth, securing the Sea Dogs’ secondwin of the season. Turgeon suffered his first loss and Clay picked up his firstwin.

TheB-Mets (3-4) continue their four-game series against the Sea Dogs tomorrow afternoonwith first pitch set for 1:00 PM. LHP Darin Gorski takes the mound forBinghamton against RHP Billy Buckner for Portland. The Horizons Federal CreditUnion pre-game show begins at 12:45 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.