Mets Daily Farm Report - 8/22/13: Beasts of the East(ern League)

*All results from games played on Wednesday, August 21^st, 2013*

AAA -Las Vegas 51s (73-57)__________________________________

FRESNO 7, LAS VEGAS 8 (Box)

In the 3^rd inning, the Grizzlies mauled Chris Schwinden to the tune of five runs. In the 5^th, he gave up another run, and Jack Leathersich allowed an inherited runner to score, putting the 51s down in a 7-0 hole with the game at the halfway point. Las Vegas didn't go down gutless. In the bottom of the 5^th, Kirk Nieuwenhuis tripled and Ruben Tejada managed to hit a flyball deep enough to center to allow him to score. In the bottom of the 6^th, Matt den Dekker drove a run in and pinch-hitter extraordinaire Jamie Hoffmann drove in two more. In the bottom of the 7^th, Eric Campbell launched a home run over the left field wall, driving in himself and Zach Lutz. In the bottom of the 8^th, Kirk launched a home run of his own, his 13^th of the season. Because the Las Vegas bullpen held Fresno scoreless all those innings, the game was suddenly tied 7-7 after looking hopeless only a few innings before. Neither team scored in the 9^th inning, so the game went into extras. In the bottom of the 10^th, Brandon Hicks to start the inning. He then stole second, and advanced to third on an error. The bases were loaded after Brian Bixler struck out to set up the double play. That's when things got real, and real got Wallyball. Pitcher Matt Fox was inserted in the game as a pinch hitter. As Dan Runzler threw the pitch, the suicide squeeze was on. Fox failed to get the bunt down, and Hicks was called out stealing home, flushing Las Vegas' chance to score down the drain. In the top of the 11^th, Daryl Thompson allowed two singles and hit a batter, loading the bases. He reached down deep and struck out catcher Guillermo Quiroz swinging. In the bottom of the inning, things seemed to be going Las Vegas' way once again- Lucas Duda singled and advanced to third on an error, and Zach Lutz walked, leaving runners on the corners for Eric Campbell. Campbell came through and hit a line drive into right, allowing Lucas Duda to lumber home and score the winning run.

• RF Kirk Nieuwenhuis: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, 2 BB, K, RBI, HR (13)
• SS Ruben Tejada: 0-3, RBI, K
• 1B Lucas Duda: 1-5, R, BB, 2 K
• 3B Zach Lutz: 3-5, R, BB, E (6)
• CF Matt den Dekker: 2-5, R, K
• LF Eric Campbell: 2-4, 2 R, 2 BB, K, 3 RBI, HR (8)
• RHP Chris Schwinden: 4 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
• LHP Jack Leathersich: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• LHP Tim Byrdak: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

AA -Binghamton Mets (81-49)_____________________________________

BOWIE 3, BINGHAMTON 5 (Box)

On a night that is cause for celebration, every aspect of the Binghamton Mets operated like a well-oiled machine: Logan Verrett pitched a solid five innings, the offense clubbed a pair of home runs and was otherwise impressive, and the bullpen didn't have any hiccups. So, why was last night a reason to celebrate? With their 81^st win of the year, the Binghamton Mets clinched their first regular season title since 2000, their third in franchise history. In addition, Jeff Walters saved his 36^th save, tying him for the most in Binghamton Mets history and Allan Dykstra set a new career high driving in his 79^th RBI of the year.

Binghamton starts a four game series with the Akron Aeros today, and their next win will tie the franchise record for most wins in a season, set back in 119, 1998 and 2000. Interestingly, despite setting the franchise record for wins, that 1998 team featured only a handful of players that would make it to the big leagues- Terrence Long was the most successful position player, while Octavio Dotel and Nelson Figuroa were the only pitchers to go on to become successful major leaguers. Other players to eventually make it to the MLB included Mike Bell, the only other position player to make it, and pitchers Dan Murray, Scott Stewart, Derek Aucoin, and Ed Yarnall (Baseball America rated 60 and 55 in 1998 and 2000). The 2000 team had a bunch of guys to make it to the majors in various capacities, and the 1994 team was stacked all around, with Edgardo Alfonzo and Rey Ordonez, two-thirds of Generation K, and a rehabbing Doc Gooden.

• 2B Danny Muno: 2-4, R, K, SB (14)
• 3B Josh Rodriguez: 0-4, 2 K
• LF Cory Vaughn: 0-3, R, BB
• RF Travis Taijeron: 2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, HR (13)
• DH Allan Dykstra: 2-4, R, K, 2 RBI, HR (20)
• SS Wilfredo Tovar: 1-4, R, K
• CF Alonzo Harris: 0-3, K
• RHP Logan Verrett: 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
• RHP Armando Rodriguez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• RHP Jeff Walters: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, SV (36)

Hi-A -St. Lucie Mets (29-24 / 66-54)________________________________________

GAME ONE

ST. LUCIE 6, PALM BEACH 4 (Box)

This game began Tuesday night, but was suspended when it began raining, with the appropriately named Rainy Lara on the mound and St. Lucie up by two. When the game resumed, Randy Fontanez almost immediately allowed two runs, tying the game. In the top of the 7^th, St. Lucie properly executed their fundies, getting men on base and moving them over, and Robbie Shields delivered the big hit with a double that drove in two. T.J. Chism pitched the final two innings of the game and kept Palm Beach off the board, earning his 17^th save of the year.

• CF Kyle Johnson: 2-5, 2B
• 2B T.J. Rivera: 1-4, R, RBI
• C Kevin Plawecki: 2-4, R, HBP
• LF Dustin Lawley: 1-5, R, 3 K
• DH Jayce Boyd: 2-5, R, RBI
• SS Matt Reynolds: 2-4, R, RBI
• 3B Robbie Shields: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, E (10)
• RHP Rainy Lara: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, HB
• RHP T.J. Chism: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, SV (16)

GAME TWO

ST. LUCIE 0, PALM BEACH 7 / 7 (Box)

The only thing worse than being shutout is being shutout and blown out at the same time. Game two of the doubleheader, last night's regularly scheduled ballgame, was just that- though maybe we can take solace in the idea that were the game to be played for two more innings, St. Lucie would have gotten some offense in. Cardinals starter Kurt Heyer pitched well, while Domingo Tapia did not. The right-hander gave up six earned runs in three plus innings, walking five. Remember a few weeks back when I said that Tapia seemingly didn't like pitching on certain dates, all of them in around the 20^th of every month? Well, now we can add another date to the mix- August 21^st, July 23^rd, June 20^th, May 24^th.

• CF Kyle Johnson: 1-2, BB, SB (5)
• 2B T.J. Rivera: 0-3
• 1B Kevin Plawecki: 0-3
• LF Dustin Lawley: 0-3, 2 K
• DH Jayce Boyd: 0-3
• SS Matt Reynolds: 0-2, BB, K
• 3B Robbie Shields: 1-3
• C Cam Maron: 1-2
• RHP Domingo Tapia: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 6 K

Lo-A -Savannah Sand Gnats(28-27 / 71-53)__________________________________

SAVANNAH 3, KANNAPOLIS 4 (Box)

Is an excruciating loss in the 9^th inning better or worse than an excruciating loss in extra innings? At least Estarlin Morel ultimately saved us the trouble of having to watch a few more innings of baseball that would end in a loss by losing the game in the 9^th. Savannah and Kannapolis traded blows all throughout the game, with the Intimidators eventually tying the game 3-3 in the 7^th inning. Morel allowed a bunt single to start off the 9^th, his third inning of work. The next batter laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner over- and got on base himself when Morel committed a throwing error. A second consecutive sacrifice bunt moved both runners over, moving the go-ahead run to third. Catcher Mike Marjama stepped up to the plate, and Morel unleashed pitch that eluded Albert Cordero, allowing the lead runner to scamper home, ending the game. Of note, I just wanted to highlight Phil Evans' 25^th error of the season. Combine that with his .207/.277/.270 batting line, and woof.

• CF Brandon Nimmo: 2-3, BB
• DH Maikis De La Cruz: 1-3, BB, SB (15)
• RF Eudy Pina: 1-4, R, BB, K
• LF Stefan Sabol: 1-4, R, 2 K
• SS Phil Evans: 0-2, 2 BB, K, E (25)
• 3B Jeff Reynolds: 1-4, R, K
• C Albert Cordero: 1-4, 2 K, RBI
• RHP Marcos Camarena: 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 K

Short-A - Brooklyn Cyclones (31-30)

BROOKLYN 3, STATEN ISLAND 5 (Box)

Dawrin Frias spun a solid if unexciting five innings, striking out seven, but the Brooklyn offense wasn't able to do much against Staten Island pitching, leaving him with the loss. The Cyclones scored all of their runs in the 3^rd, but were shut out for the rest of the game. That three-run burst put Brooklyn ahead, but Frias was unable to hold the lead. After giving up a walk and a single in the 6^th, he allowed a home run, putting Staten Island back up by two and ending his day. The Yankees kept Brooklyn's bats mostly silent over the last few innings, dropping the Cyclones to only a game over .500 and a game-and-a-half out of first place, behind the Aberdeen IronBirds.

• LF Eris Peguero: 1-5
• SS Gavin Cecchini: 0-4, R, K, RBI
• CF Jared King: 0-2, 2 BB
• RF James Roche: 3-4, K, RBI, SB (6)
• C Tomas Nido: 1-4, R, K, PB (3)
• 3B Anthony Chavez: 1-3, R, 2B, BB, K, E (16)
• RHP Dawrin Frias: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR

Rk - Kingsport Mets (32-25)_____________________________

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

Rk - GCL Mets (17-36)_______________________________

GCL MARLINS 10, GCL METS 3 (Box)

• 2B Branden Kaupe: 1-2, R, 3 BB, K
• 1B Dominic Smith: 3-4, R, 2B, RBI
• 3B Jhoan Urena: 0-2
• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 1-4, 2 K
• CF Ivan Wilson: 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI, SB (12)
• RHP Marcos Molina: 5 IP, 5 H, 6 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HB
• REHAB ALERT RHP Frank Francisco: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR

Star of the Night

The entire Binghamton Mets team deserves to pat themselves on the back.

Goat of the Night

Chris Schwinden is Chris Schwinden. Knowing that, does he even qualify to be Goat of the Night? If you want to count him, fine, he's your Goat of the Night. If you want to go the route that Chris Schwinden is so constant in his poor pitching that he is ineligible for the dubious distinction, than Estarlin Morel is the Goat of the Night, losing the game for Savannah on a wild pitch in the 9^th.

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