EL1 Binghamton Rumble Ponies

B-Mets Game Notes: Game #1 - B-Mets (0-0) at Akron RubberDucks (0-0)

April 9, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release


Binghamton Mets (0-0) vs.

Akron RubberDucks (0-0)

(Double-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians)

RHP Matt Koch (0-0, --) vs. RHP Will Roberts (0-0, ---)

Thursday, April 9, 2015 - Game #1 - Road Game #1

Canal Park - Akron, OH - 6:35 PM

2014 SEASON RECAP: After going 83-59 and finishing second in the Eastern Division in the regular season, the B-Mets defeated the Portland Sea Dogs in five games in the Division Championship Series. In the Eastern League Championship Series, the B-Mets defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels on the road in Games 1 & 2. In Game 3 at NYSEG Stadium Steven Matz carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but settled for a no-decision. In the bottom of the ninth Jayce Boyd delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off double to send the B-Mets to their third title in franchise history and their first in 20 years.

BINGHAMTON STARTER: RHP Matt Koch makes his regular season debut with the B-Mets tonight. The righty from Iowa spent the entire 2014 regular season with St. Lucie (High-A) going 10-4 with a 4.64 ERA in 22 starts. He made his Double-A with the B-Mets in the postseason, throwing three innings of relief against the Sea Dogs in Game 2 of the EDCS.

AKRON STARTER: RHP Will Roberts returns to Akron for his third straight season with the Indians' Double-A affiliate. Last year the Salem, VA native went 12-12 with a 4.08 ERA in 27 starts with the RubberDucks. Last year, Roberts went 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA and a .262 opponent batting average in three starts against Binghamton.

MEET THE METS: The B-Mets welcome 15 returning members from last year's squad, including 13 that were members of the postseason roster. Binghamton also adds 10 players that have never appeared with the B-Mets.

OPENING DAY: Tonight marks the sixth consecutive season the B-Mets have started the year against Akron. The B-Mets are 3-2 against Akron in the last five Opening Day games. The B-Mets are 14-9 overall on Opening day in franchise history.

ON THE ROAD: Binghamton opens their 24th season in franchise history on the road. The club went 38-33 away from home last year in the regular season and 4-1 on the road in the postseason.

WELCOME BACK: In addition to having 15 players back from last year, the B-Mets also welcome back Josh Rodriguez. The infielder spent last year in the Marlins organization with New Orleans (AAA) after spending the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the B-Mets.

CHOCK-FULL OF RIGHTIES: The B-Mets will open the season with a six-man rotation. Every starter throws right-handed.

BACK FOR ANOTHER GO-AROUND: Pedro Lopez returns to the Southern Tier for his fourth season at the helm of the Double-A Mets, the most in franchise history for one manager. The owner of 237 regular season wins with the B-Mets, he is the winningest manager in team history.

OUT TO DEFEND THE TITLE: The Binghamton Mets are looking to become the first team in nearly ten years to win back-to-back Eastern League titles. The Trenton Thunder last performed the feat, taking home the championship in 2007 and 2008.

LINKED AND LOADED: The B-Mets added four additional years to their existing Player Development Contract with the New York Mets, ensuring Double-A baseball in Binghamton through the 2020 season.

PLAYOFF TEAMS: Akron finished last season second in the Western Division, but was bumped in four games in the division series against Richmond.

NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets continue their season-opening four-game series against the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night at 6:35 PM. RHP Rainy Lara takes the mound against RHP Cody Anderson.

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