Binghamton Mets 2014 Game Notes

Binghamton Mets (24-20) at

Portland Sea Dogs (30-15)

(Double-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox)

RHP Rainy Lara (4-1, 4.05) vs. LHP Mickey Pena (2-0, 4.86)

Thursday, May 22, 2014 • Game #45 • Road Game #22

Hadlock Field • Portland, ME • 6:00 PM

LAST GAME: The Binghamton Mets were swept by the Portland Sea Dogs in a doubleheader at Hadlock Field on Wednesday night. Portland starterKeith Couch tamed the B-Mets in a complete game, handing Binghamton a 5-1 loss in the opener. Binghamton blew a five-run lead in the nightcap, falling 6-5 in their fourth straight defeat. The B-Mets touched Couch for a season-high nine hits, but managed just one run while going hitless in their final eight at-bats with runners in scoring position. Luis Cessa allowed five runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings in losing his Double-A debut. In the nightcap, Portland erased a 5-0 Binghamton lead with six unanswered runs, capped by a five-run fifth inning. Peter Hissey delivered the critical blow with a two-run, go-ahead single off Chasen Bradford. Matt bowman was charged with all six runs in the loss. Robby Scotttossed three innings of relief in the win.

BINGHAMTON STARTER: RHP Rainy Lara makes his eighth start of the season and second against the Sea Dogs. Lara earned his team-leading fourth victory in his most recent start against the Fisher Cats on Saturday, May 17. The righty allowed five runs on eight hits while matching a season-high with seven strikeouts over 6.1 innings in Binghamton’s 6-5 win. Lara’s only loss this season came against the Sea Dogs on May 4. He surrendered eight hits and allowed three runs over four innings in a 4-1 loss. Lara was signed as a non-drafted free agent in October 2009.

PORTLAND STARTER: LHP Mickey Pena makes his ninth start of the season and first against the B-Mets. The southpaw from Mission, Texas has recorded just two decisions in eight starts this season. He took a no-decision in his most recent game on Saturday, May 17 against the Thunder. He allowed three runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings in a game the Sea Dogs won in comeback fashion 4-3. Selected in the 6th round by the Red Sox in 2011 out of San Jacinto College (TX), Pena split 2013 between Salem and Portland.

BACK ON THE SKIDS: The Binghamton Mets have lost four straight games, matching their longest losing streak of the season. The slump comes directly after Binghamton compiled a six-game winning streak, their longest stretch of the year. During the losing streak they’ve been outscored 21-9. While they’ve hit a respectable .267, the pitching staff has compiled a 6.92 ERA.

HEMLOCK FIELD: The B-Mets have gone just 1-5 against the Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field this season. In six games, they’ve posted a 6.37 staff ERA, which includes a shutout victory on Monday night. Overall, Binghamton has gone 4-9 against the Sea Dogs this season. They’ve lost six of the last seven meetings with the Double-A Red Sox.

ROAD TRIP RUBBER MATCH: After opening their season-long nine-game road trip with four straight wins, the B-Mets have dropped four straight, setting the stage for the rubber match. Binghamton has gone 10-10 away from NYSEG Stadium this season.

REYNOLDS RAKING: B-Mets middle infielder Matt Reynolds has hit safely in each of his last eight games, compiling a .433 (13-for-30) batting average during the stretch. He’s boosted his batting average to .344 in the process, putting him fourth in the Eastern League in that category. Reynolds sits third in the league with a .420 on-base percentage.

NO LEAD IS SAFE: The B-Mets have blown leads of four runs or more three times in the last eight games. Wednesday night’s nightcap was the first time they had lost a game during the stretch after losing a lead of four runs or more.