Late Rally Falls Short in Series Opener, 10-7

NEW BRITAIN, CT – The Binghamton Mets scored five runs in the ninth inning, but could not overcome an early deficit in a 10-7 loss to the New Britain Rock Cats Monday night at New Britain Stadium.

After waiting through a one hour, fourteen minute rain delay to start the game, the Rock Cats grabbed an early lead with two unearned runs in the first. New Britain took advantage of a throwing error from shortstop Sean Kazmar to take the two-run edge.

Binghamton answered back against New Britain starter Steve Hirschfeld in the fourth. After three consecutive singles loaded the bases, Juan Centeno got the B-Mets on the board with a sac fly to left. It was the only run they scratched out against Hirschfeld (3-4). The righty went five innings in his first win since mid-April.

Owning a 2-1 lead, the Rock Cats kicked their offense in gear. They tagged B-Mets starter Mark Cohoon for seven runs on eight hits, plating two in the fourth and three more in the fifth. Evan Bigley’s two-run single to center gave the Rock Cats a 7-1 lead and chased the southpaw from the game. Cohoon (2-5) walked two and struck out two.

After the B-Mets plated a run in the eighth on a sac fly from Juan Lagares, the Rock Cats stretched their lead to eight runs with a three-run frame. New Britain pounded out five hits, including three doubles against Armando Rodriguez.

The inning proved vital as the B-Mets put up five runs in the ninth against reliever Daniel Turpen. Josh Rodriguez tripled two runs home and scored on a groundout. After Jefry Marte singled, Raul Reyes crushed a two-run home run to right to cut the deficit to three. Turpen ended the rally and the game by inducing Lagares to ground out.

The B-Mets (21-21) continue their four-game set against the Rock Cats tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. RHP Collin McHugh takes the mound against LHP Logan Darnell. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pre-game show begins at 6:20 PM on Newsradio 1290.

Press release provided by the Binghamton Mets