Mesa Mauls First-Inning Dinger
August 29, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
BINGHAMTON, NY - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats took a first-inning lead but couldn't maintain it, falling 6-3 to the Binghamton Mets Saturday night at NYSEG Stadium for their fourth straight loss.
The loss put the Fisher Cats (63-67) one game further from a playoff berth, and put them in danger of falling victim to a four-game sweep. The Mets (73-59) earned their fourth straight victory with the win, and kept their four-game lead over the Trenton Thunder in the race for the playoffs. The win also gave Binghamton an 11-10 lead in the season series between the two teams, with Sunday's game set up as the last chance for New Hampshire to earn the split.
The Fisher Cats took an early lead in the top of the first against Binghamton starting pitcher Rainy Lara (W, 8-5). Dwight Smith, Jr. cracked a one-out double to right field, bringing up Melky Mesa. The left-fielder powered a fastball over the fence in right-center field for his fourth homer of the year, putting the Fisher Cats ahead 2-0.
The lead was sort-lived for New Hampshire, as the B-Mets got to Fisher Cats starter Conner Greene (L, 2-1) immediately. T.J. Rivera singled, and Josh Rodriguez drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one away. Brock Peterson looped a double up the right-field line to score Rivera, and Vince Belnome singled home Rodriguez, leaving Peterson at third base. Joe Benson bounced in to a 6-4 fielder's choice that plated Peterson and gave the Mets the 3-2 lead.
Binghamton tacked on another in the bottom of the third, as Jared King lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Jonathan Galvez and push the Binghamton advantage to 4-2. The B-Mets got another run in the fourth inning against new reliever Dustin Antolin, who gave up a one-out double to Rodriguez before allowing Peterson to double him home and extend the lead to 5-2.
New Hampshire got back in the scoring mix in the top of the eighth against Mets reliever Josh Smoker. Roemon Fields worked a one-out walk off Smoker, and Smith laced a double up the left field line to score Fields. New Hampshire had a chance to tie the game with only one out, but Mesa grounded out and K.C. Hobson fanned to end the inning. Binghamton got the run right back in the bottom of the eighth against new reliever Cory Burns, as Peterson singled to center to bring home LJ Mazzilli and give Binghamton their final 6-3 lead.
Greene gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks in three innings, striking out two and taking his first Double-A loss. Antolin surrendered a run on four hits over three innings, whiffing a career-best five batters. Burns gave up a run on two hits and a walk in two innings while recording a strikeout.
The Fisher Cats will try to avoid the sweep Sunday afternoon, with righty Casey Lawrence getting the ball for New Hampshire against Binghamton righty Robert Gsellman. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m., and Ben Gellman has the radio call beginning at 12:45 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.
The Fisher Cats return home for the final homestand of 2015 on Monday, Aug. 31. The Future Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs will be in town with two Atlas Fireworks shows, free t-shirts and posters, and a retirement ceremony for the No. 29 in honor of New Hampshire legend Chris Carpenter. Tickets are available at www.nhfishercats.com, by calling (603) 641-2005, or by visiting the team box office at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
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