B-Mets Blast Four Homers to Top Rock Cats

Published on July 23, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Binghamton hammered four home runs - including two by DH Allan Dykstra - to cruise to an 8-1 victory over New Britain on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the Rock Cats were limited to just four hits by Mets starter Gregory Peavey.

"We ran into a pretty good pitcher," said Rock Cats manager Jeff Smith.

Dykstra led off the second inning by crushing a home run off of Rock Cats starter Aaron Thompson in the second inning over the right center field wall for the 1-0 lead. Michael Fisher followed with a bloop single that shortstop Esatrlin De Los Santos couldn't handle as he attempted to make a running catch towards the outfield, but De Los Santos picked up the ball and fired a strike to second base as Nate Hanson tagged Fisher out as he slid into second for the first out of the inning.

The B-Mets kept swinging a hot bat, though, as Sean Kazmar and Francisco Pena delivered consecutive singles before a fielding error by third baseman Deibinson Romero allowed Pedro Zapata to reach base safely and load the bases. Juan Lagares delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Kazmar. Reese Havens added an RBI single for the 3-0 advantage.

The Rock Cats took advantage of a couple of Binghmaton miscues in the bottom of the inning to get on the board. Joe Benson led off the inning and reached base safely on a throwing error by Kazmar at shortstop. Benson then stole second and moved to third as Pena misfired from behind the plate on the throw down. Romero delivered a sacrifice fly to center to score Benson and close the gap, 3-1.

Dykstra added another solo shot in the third inning. Binghamton blew open the game with two more long balls in the eighth inning. Eric Campbell led off with a shot over the left field wall and Kazmar added a two-run homer.

Peavey (4-6) limited the Rock Cats to one unearned run on three hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out three.

"He had a lot of command of all of his pitches and was throwing balls in and out," said Smith. "He picked up his teammates when they made some errors. He pitched a heck of a game."

The B-Mets turned to relief man CJ Nitkowski in the eighth inning, Nitkowski, who prior to this season hadn't pitched since 2006 and last pitched in Double-A in 1995, was a familiar face to Smith.

"I had a few at-bats against. Hats off to him. I know he's probably going to get back up to the big leagues," said Smith.

Nitkowski hurled a scoreless inning with three strikeouts.

Thompson (3-5) suffered the loss after scattering eight hits four runs - two earned - in five innings.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME : RF Oswaldo Arcia went 2-for-4 to remain hot at the plate for the Rock Cats. Arcia is batting .358 for the month of July.

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Eastern League Stories from July 23, 2012


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