Akron infielders Erik Gonzalez and Yandy Diaz drove in seven runs to lead the RubberDucks past the Binghamton Mets, 9-4, on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park. Gonzalez’s three-run double in the sixth highlighted a four-run inning and crushed Binghamton’s hopes at a series sweep. The B-Mets stranded 11 runners, including eight in scoring position, while watching their three-game winning streak come to an end.
The RubberDucks jumped out of the gate against John Gant in the first inning. Following Jordan Smith’s one-out double, Gonzalez pulled an RBI single into left. Bryson Myles doubled Akron’s lead three batters later by floating a single in front of Jayce Boyd in left.
Binghamton put the leadoff man aboard in three consecutive innings, but failed to score against Ryan Merritt. Josh Rodriguez was stranded after singling to start the second, TJ Rivera rolled into an inning-ending double play in the third and Boyd was left at third after double to open the fourth.
Akron added to their lead with single tallies in the fourth and fifth. Anthony Gallas doubled home a run before Diaz blooped an RBI single into center, stretching the RubberDucks’ lead to 4-1.
After finally pushing a run across in the fifth on a Rivera single, the B-Mets chipped away in the sixth. Binghamton opened the inning with back-to-back doubles from Josh and Aderlin Rodriguez, cutting the deficit to two and chasing Merritt from the game. Trey Haley took over and uncorked a wild pitch, prompting another run to come home. The righty shook off the errant pitch and retired the next three batters, stranding the tying run at third.
In the bottom of the inning, Akron compiled a two-out rally against Beck Wheeler, loading the bases on a single and two walks. Gonzalez broke the game open by lining a three-run double to left-center. Diaz capped the four-run frame with an RBI single, his second in as many innings.
Trailing by a half-dozen, the B-Mets mustered a late rally in the ninth. After an RBI groundout cut the deficit to five, Binghamton loaded the bases. Jeff Johnson took over and struck out Josh Rodriguez before inducing Aderlin Rodriguez to bounce back to the mound to earn his third save.
Gant (1-3) was tagged for four runs on four walks and seven hits over five innings in his second straight loss. Merritt (1-2) gave up three runs on seven hits in five frames to earn the win.
The B-Mets (18-12) continue their two-city road trip and open a three-game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrelson Monday night at 6:35 PM. RHP Seth Lugo takes the mound against LHP Jack Snodgrass.
POSTGAME NOTES: The loss ended Binghamton’s six-game road winning streak and five-game winning streak against Akron…Gilbert Gomez ended an 0-for-23 stretch with a single in the fifth…Josh Rodriguez collected his 100th career regular season hit at Canal Park with a single in the second inning
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