Binghamton Mets 2013 Game Notes

Binghamton Mets (14-11) vs.
Erie SeaWolves (12-11)

(Double-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers)

RHP Rafael Montero (3-1, 1.95) vs. RHP Victor Larez (3-0, 3.43)

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 • Game #27 • Home Game #13
NYSEG Stadium • Binghamton, NY • 6:35 PM


LAST GAME: The Binghamton Mets blew a pair of two-run leads, but prevailed last night, defeating the Erie SeaWolves, 6-5 at NYSEG Stadium. Danny Muno capped a three-hit day and broke a tie game with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning. For the second time in as many games, B-Mets closer Jeff Walters kept a one-run lead safe with a perfect ninth. Chase Huchingson tossed a shutout eighth inning for the second straight night and earned his second straight win. Blaine Hardy suffered the loss in his SeaWolves debut.


BINGHAMTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Rafael Montero makes his sixth start of the season and second against the SeaWolves. The righty from Higuerito, Dominican Republic suffered his first loss in his previous start against the Akron Aeros on April 26. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings, but received no offensive support in Binghamton’s 4-0 loss. He matched a season-high with eight strikeouts. Montero took a no-decision against Erie on April 9, allowing one run over six innings. He was acquired by the New York Mets as non-drafted free agent in February 2009.


ERIE STARTING PITCHER: RHP Victor Larez gets the ball for the fifth time this year and second against the B-Mets. The Venezuelan right-hander is on a three-game winning streak. He surrendered two runs on four hits over five frames in a victory over the Altoona Curve in his last start on April 26. He faced the B-Mets in his Double-A debut on April 8 and took a no-decision, allowing just one run on two hits over five innings. Larez was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Tigers in 2005.


SAYING GOODBYE TO APRIL: The Binghamton Mets finished April with a 14-11 record. Their 14 victories match a franchise record for wins in the month of April set in 1992, 1994 and 2002. It is the first time the B-Mets are at least three game over .500 to start May since they finished April 2004 with a 12-9 record.


MR. CONSISTENT: B-Mets closer Jeff Walters tossed another perfect ninth inning to collect his league-leading eighth save. The righty from Florida has gone a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances to start the season and has collected one in each of his last seven appearances.


DYKSTRA’S STREAK HALTED AT 10: Binghamton Mets first baseman Allan Dykstra went 0-for-2 yesterday, snapping his career-high 10-game hitting streak. The San Diego native hit .353 (12-for-34) during the stretch with four doubles, one home run, six runs scored and 10 RBI. He raised his batting average by 104 percentage points.


MONTERO ON THE LEADERBOARD: B-Mets starter Rafael Montero ranks fifth in the Eastern League with a 1.95 ERA. He is tied for second in strikeouts with 35 and fourth in WHIP (0.80).


STEALS KEEP ON COMING: Danny Muno swiped two bases yesterday, bumping Binghamton’s league-leading total to 36. They have game gone 21-for-23 in steal attempts in their last 12 games.


HARRIS HALTED: After hitting successfully in ten straight games, B-Mets outfielder Alonzo Harris has gone hitless in three consecutive contests, his longest slump of the season. He has not collected a hit in his last 12 at bats.


PRODUCTION FROM THE NINE SPOT: B-Mets infielder Wilfredo Tovar has hit ninth 24 times this season. The native of Miranda, Venezuela has hit safely in eight of his last nine games and surpassed a .200 batting average with a 2-for-4 performance last night.


NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets conclude their four-game series and wrap up their week-long homestand against the SeaWolves tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. RHP Logan Verrett gets the ball for Binghamton against LHP Kyle Lobstein.