Brett Smith tossed seven hitless innings to lead the Trenton Thunder over the Binghamton Mets, 7-4, on Saturday afternoon at Mercer County Waterfront Park. In only his third Double-A start, the 24-year-old right-hander fanned seven and walked four, lowering his ERA to 1.56. Smith (1-0), a second-round pick of the Yankees in 2004, pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings in his last start on April 14 at Connecticut. "I felt good in Connecticut and today," said Smith. "Mentally, I just felt like I was ready to throw every pitch. "It's not the best I've ever felt on the mound, but you just try and gain momentum and focus," he said, crediting catcher Jason Brown. "We were just trying to keep the ball rolling and Jason was calling a great game behind the plate." Smith was removed after the seventh in favor of Edwar Ramirez, who held the B-Mets hitless in the eighth. "You couldn't hand the ball to a better bullpen," Smith said. "Ever since he's put on a Yankee uniform, Edwar has been awesome." Gerardo Casadiego came on in the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Fernando Martinez. Casadiego surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on five hits in the frame. Trenton got on the board with three runs in the second. After Shawn Garrett stroked a leadoff single and Russell Raley was hit by a pitch, Aarom Baldiris slapped a double to left field to score both runners. Gabe Lopez's single plated Baldiris, giving the Thunder a 3-0 lead. Cody Ehlers doubled in a run in the third and delivered an RBI groundout in the fifth for Trenton (10-2). Binghamton starter Michael Devaney (0-1) gave up five runs on five hits, walking one and fanning three in four innings. Robert Paulk allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with one strikeout over two frames. Caleb Stewart single and scored and Jose Reyes slapped an RBI double in the ninth for Binghamton (3-6). Jeff Halpin is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
