Misplay Opens Door for B-Mets Win, 2-1

AKRON, OH – The Binghamton Mets scored the game-winning run without the aid of a hit and the bullpen provided four shutout innings of relief in a 2-1 victory over the Akron Aeros Friday night at Canal Park.

With the game tied and the bases loaded on two walks and a hit batsman in the top of the seventh, Wilfredo Tovar lifted a weak popup behind first base. Jose Ramirez raced over from second, but dropped it, allowing Cory Vaughn to score the go-ahead run.

The B-Mets were forced to play catch-up after the Aeros used the bottom of their order to strike in the second. Roberto Perez started the rally with a two-out double to left-center. B-Mets starter Cory Mazzoni allowed a single and issued a walk to load the bases, but worked ahead of nine-hitter Delvi Cid to an 0-2 count.

Cid waved at a low breaking ball, but the third strike kicked away from B-Mets catcher Juan Centeno, rolling fifteen feet from home plate. Centeno failed to cleanly bare-hand the ball, allowing Perez to score from third.

After being kept in check by Aeros starter T.J. House for five innings, Binghamton broke through in the sixth. Back-to-back singles from Wilfredo Tovar and Alonzo Harris chased the southpaw from the game. Fabio Martinez entered from the pen and uncorked a wild pitch on his first offering, pushing both runners up a bag. Daniel Muno tied the game with an RBI ground out to second.

Taken off the hook, Mazzoni exited after five innings. The righty saved his best for last; retiring the final six batters he faced, including four straight strikeouts.

With the game tied at one, Mark Cohoon made his first relief appearance since July 2008. The southpaw worked around a double and a walk to put up a scoreless sixth.

In the seventh, Martinez handed out a walk and hit Puello before being replaced by Kyle Landis. Pena was intentionally walked after a sac bunt from Juan Centeno, setting the stage for Wilfredo Tovar’s run-producing popup.

Chase Hunchingson made the lead stand with two scoreless innings of relief and Jack Leathersich stranded a pair of runners in the ninth to secure the win. Cohoon (1-0) collected the victory while Leathersich earned his first save. Martinez (0-1) suffered the first blown save in the losing effort.

The B-Mets (2-0) look to secure the series victory Saturday afternoon at 2:05 PM. RHP Logan Verrett makes his Double-A debut against LHP Matt Packer. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show starts at 1:50 PM.

POSTGAME NOTES: This is the first 2-0 start to a season for the B-Mets since 2002…Cory Mazzoni has allowed only two unearned runs in 12.0 innings pitched at Canal Park…B-Mets went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position

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