Wheeler Baffles Old Teammates in 5-1 Win

RICHMOND, VA – Zack Wheeler struck out six and allowed just one run to lead the Binghamton Mets past the Richmond Flying Squirrels by a 5-1 score Thursday night at The Diamond. The B-Mets offense pounded out 13 hits, went 6-for-10 with runners in scoring position and drove in three of their five runs with two outs.

Wheeler faced a Giants’ affiliate for the first time since being traded from San Francisco to the Mets in July 2011. Coming off his roughest start as a B-Met, Wheeler bounced back with a solid outing. The righty limited the Flying Squirrels to just one run on six singles over 7.1 innings. He did not allow a single runner to reach third in his time on the hill.

The B-Mets gave him support in the top of the first against Richmond starter Chris Heston, who entered as the Eastern League leader in ERA. Juan Lagares pounded a double off the left field wall to start the game and came home two batters later on a sac fly by Jefry Marte.

Binghamton continued their offensive attack in the fourth. After Francisco Pena led off with a double to center, Wilfredo Tovar doubled the lead with a single into left. Wheeler provided a sac bunt to push Tovar to second and Lagares delivered a two-out run-scoring single to center. Reese Havens capped the frame with another two-out RBI hit, singling to right field.

Heston allowed two more hits in the fifth inning, his final frame. Wilmer Flores doubled with one out and was driven home on Sean Kazmar’s two-out single. The righty surrendered a season-high five runs and matched a career-high with eleven hits allowed.

Meanwhile, Wheeler cruised through the first four innings, facing just two over the minimum. He navigated around a pair of singles in a scoreless fifth inning and retired eight consecutive Flying Squirrels before running into trouble in the eighth.

Trailing by five, Joel Weeks led off the frame with a single to right. After pinch-hitter Daniel Mayorga struck out, Gary Brown bounced a single up the middle, ending Wheeler’s night. Armando Rodriguez entered and issue two straight walks, forcing in a run.

It was the only run Richmond would scratch out in the game. Rodriguez battled back to get two more outs and worked a perfect ninth inning to close out the game.

Jacob Dunnington, Austin Fleet and Edwin Quiararte stymied the B-Mets offense, combining for four shutout innings of relief.

Wheeler (8-4) earned the win, issuing no walks for the first time in five starts. Heston (6-4) suffered the loss, extending his winless streak to five games.

The B-Mets (38-46) will look to secure the series win in the rubber match tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. RHP Cory Mazzoni takes the mound for Binghamton against LHP Mike Kickham. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pre-game show begins at 6:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

Press release provided by the Binghamton Mets