EL1 Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Wheeler Deals, Offense Rips Past R-Phils, 8-1

Published on May 31, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release


READING, PA - Zack Wheeler allowed just one run and struck out eight over seven innings to lead the Binghamton Mets past the Reading Phillies by an 8-1 score Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Wheeler faced just three over the minimum to earn his fifth win in as many starts.

For the fifth straight start, Wheeler got serious offensive support. After going down in order in the first against starter Jonathan Pettibone, the B-Mets offense came alive in the second. Eric Campbell singled and Juan Lagares doubled to start the rally and Juan Centeno chased both home with a double down the left field line. Pedro Zapata added an RBI single and scored later in the inning on a fielding error by first baseman Steven Lerud.

The B-Mets tacked on a run with a sac fly by Juan Lagares in the third and posted another crooked number in the fourth. Zapata ripped a triple to center and Wheeler walked to set the table for Josh Rodriguez. The shortstop launched a 1-2 pitch from Pettibone into the left field seats for his fourth homer of the season, giving the B-Mets an 8-0 lead.

The run support was plenty for Wheeler. The righty retired the first nine R-Phils he faced before allowing a single to Miguel Abreu in the fourth. Wheeler shook off the hit and sat down ten consecutive as he breezed into the seventh. His only blemish came in his final inning when he allowed back-to-back doubles to Darin Ruf and Brandon Tripp. It was the only run the R-Phils scored in the game.

Wheeler (5-2) allowed just one run on three hits and struck out eight over seven innings of work in the victory. He did not issue a walk for the second time this season and finished one shy of his season-high in strikeouts. Over his last five starts, the B-Mets offense has supplied nearly nine runs per game. Robert Carson took the game to the finish line with two scoreless innings of relief.

Pettibone (4-5) battled his way through six innings in the losing effort. Michael Cisco added two scoreless innings of relief and Juan Morillo closed the R-Phils' pitching tab with a blank ninth.

The B-Mets (25-26) return to the Southern Tier and start a four-game series against the Akron Aeros Friday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Gonzalez German takes the mound for Binghamton against RHP Steven Wright. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pre-game show begins at 6:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

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Eastern League Stories from May 31, 2012


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