Rock Cats Steal One from B-Mets, 4-3

BINGHAMTON, NY – The New Britain Rock Cats scored three runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, highlighted by Nate Hanson’s pinch-hit, two-run double, to defeat the Binghamton Mets 4-3 Tuesday night at NYSEG Stadium. Binghamton committed two costly errors in the game, resulting in four unearned runs.

With a 3-1 lead, reliever Robert Carson took the mound in the ninth looking for his first career save. He walked Chris Colabello to start the inning before inducing Aaron Hicks to fly out. Deibinson Romero sent a slow chopper to third and reached safely when Jefry Marte’s throw to first pulled Eric Campbell off the bag.

The error proved costly for Binghamton. Following a popout, Estarlin De Los Santos blooped an RBI single to right just out of the reach of Juan Lagares. With the tying run at third, Hanson shot a sinking line drive to left and Pedro Zapata could not make the difficult catch, allowing two runs to score. The loss was Binghamton’s second of the year when leading after eight innings.

The shaky defense overshadowed a strong pitching performance from starter Mark Cohoon. The southpaw allowed just one unearned run and four hits over six innings. He stood to be the winner until New Britain’s ninth-inning comeback.

Binghamton owned a three-run lead after three innings by pounding Rock Cats starter Andrew Albers for a career-high nine hits. Juan Lagares led off the second by doubling to right. He scored two batters later on Rylan Sandoval’s single through the hole on the right side.

The B-Mets added two more in the third. Matt den Dekker started with a bunt single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, scampered to third on a fly out and scored on a passed ball by Chris Herrmann. Reese Havens doubled later in the inning and came home three batters later on a single by Lagares.

New Britain’s first run came in the sixth thanks to a B-Mets error. With a runner on first and one out, Herrmann rolled a potential double-play ball to Reese Havens. The second baseman fielded cleanly, but bobbled the transfer to his throwing hand, allowing all runners to reach safely. Chris Colabello cashed in with an RBI single to left.

After amassing a three-run lead off Albers, the B-Mets went quietly against the New Britain bullpen. Blake Martin navigated through 1.1 scoreless innings while Lester Oliveros retired both men he faced. Daniel Turpen (3-1) tossed a scoreless eighth and locked down the win with a shutout ninth. In all, the B-Mets mustered just one hit against the three relievers.

While all three runs on his tab were unearned, Carson (0-1) suffered his first career blown save and first loss of the year. Brad Holt allowed one hit over two scoreless innings in his return to Binghamton after pitching in six games with the Buffalo Bisons.

The B-Mets (14-16) complete their rain-shortened series with the New Britain Rock Cats tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. RHP Collin McHugh takes the mound against RHP Steve Hirschfeld. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pre-game show begins at 6:20 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

Press release provided by the Binghamton Mets