Binghamton 3 - Trenton 1

Puello & Verrett Deliver in Series Finale, 3-1

TRENTON, NJ – Cesar Puello launched two home runs and Logan Verrett struck out nine over 8-2/3 innings to lead the Binghamton Mets past the Trenton Thunder in a 3-1 win Wednesday night at Arm & Hammer Park. Jeff Walters retired the only man he faced in the ninth to help the B-Mets end a two-game losing skid.

For the second straight night, Puello blasted the B-Mets to an early lead. With a runner aboard, Puello launched Nik Turley’s 2-2 offering beyond the outfield fence in right-centerfield, giving Binghamton a 2-0 advantage. Puello’s third homer of the season extended his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest active throughout Double-A.

Verrett ably handled the Thunder through the first three innings before running into his first jam in the fourth. Tyler Austin led off with a double and scored when J.R. Murphy bounced a single up the middle. With the tying run on base, Verrett induced Kyle Roller to bounce into a 3-6-3 double play to end the threat.

Puello continued his stellar series against the Thunder in the fifth. After fouling off four pitches with two strikes, he launched an 0-2 pitch deep to left field, clearing the 25-foot wall of advertising positioned behind the fence. Puello’s solo round-tripper gave Binghamton a 3-1 lead.

After minimizing the damage in the fourth, Verrett cruised through his next four innings. The righty retired 14 of 15 batters and took a two-run lead into the ninth.

Verrett’s bid for his third career complete game got off to rocky start. Jose Pirela started the inning with a double, but was caught advancing to third when Tyler Austin sent a chopper back to the mound. Verrett put the tying run aboard by walking Murphy, but induced Kyle Roller to fly out to center after a lengthy visit from manager Pedro Lopez.

After Roller’s long out, Lopez called upon B-Mets closer Jeff Walters with runners at the corners. Reegie Corona worked a full count before flying out to right to end the game, securing Walters’ league-leading ninth save.

Verrett (5-1) allowed one run on five hits over 8-2/3 innings, the longest start for any B-Met this season. He finished one shy of a career-high with ten strikeouts. Turley (3-2) surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings in the losing effort.

The B-Mets (17-16) start a four-game series at home against the Harrisburg Senators on Thursday night at6:35 PM. RHP Jacob deGrom takes the ball for Binghamton against RHP Paul Demny. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show begins at 6:20 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

POSTGAME NOTES: Alonzo Harris was caught stealing in the first inning for the since April 13; he had been 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts since then…Puello’s two home run effort was the first multiple-home run game for any B-Met in 2013…the B-Mets have not been swept this season