B-Mets' Montero Tops Aeros Again
Published on May 13, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Binghamton, NY - Binghamton righthander Rafael Montero entered Monday's game against Akron on a personal, three-game losing streak. By the end of the night, that streak was history.
The 22-year-old Montero worked six innings, and the B-Mets overcame an early, 2-0 deficit, in a 5-2 victory over the Aeros in the opener of a three-game series at NYSEG Stadium.
It was the third impressive start and second win against Akron for Montero, ranked by Baseball America as the 5th best prospect in the New York Mets minor league system. He scattered eight hits, walked none and struck out six. This season against Akron, he has fanned 22 batters in 17 2/3 innings.
Despite having men on base in every inning except one, Montero (4-3) recorded key outs to keep his team in the game.
The Aeros (19-19) took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Carlos Moncrief, one of his two hits on the night. In the third, Justin Toole grounded a single up the middle to score Bo Greenwell, who had doubled, to make it 2-0. Toole finished with three hits in the game.
The Mets rallied in the bottom of the third, however, to take the lead for good against Aeros starter Matt Packer (1-5). After Wilfredo Tovar was thrown out at second trying to stretch a lead-off single into a double, Packer walked Alonzo Harris. Danny Muno then hit a slow bouncer to first baseman Jesus Aguilar, who threw poorly to Packer for an error. With runners on the corners, Josh Rodriguez sent a grounder through the legs of Giovanny Urshela for the second error of the inning. That play scored Harris to make it 3-1.
Allan Dykstra followed with an RBI single to make it 2-2, and Cory Vaughn legged out the back end of a potential double play ball to short to force in Rodriguez with the go-ahead run.
The Mets pounded out 14 hits in the game, 11 of them off Packer. Vaughn chipped in an RBI single in the fifth, and Cesar Puello caped the scoring with a solo homer in the sixth to make it 5-2.
After Montero was lifted, lefty Chase Huchingson tossed two scoreless innings, although the Aeros had two runners on with one out in the seventh. Huchingson responded with back-to-back strikeouts. Jeff Walters came on in the ninth to close it for his league-leading 10th save. Walters has converted all 10 of his save opportunities.
Urshela was 1-4 at the plate, and extended his hitting streak to a team-high nine games. Toole was 3-4, with a walk, and has hit in seven straight. Austin Adams relieved Packer and threw two more scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.84.
The Aeros and Mets (20-18) will meet in game two of the series Tuesday evening at 6:35. RHP Paolo Espino (1-0, 3.72) will start for Akron, while RHP Logan Verrett (5-1, 3.54) will make the start for the B-Mets. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and online at www.sportsradio1350.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151.
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