Sea Drops drop the series opener, 6-3 to the Mets
(Portland, Maine) - The Binghamton Mets (23-18) scored three times in the ninth to take the series opener from the Portland Sea Dogs (23-16), 6-3 on Friday night at Hadlock Field in front of 7,311 fans, the largest crowd of the season.
John Church (2-3) worked two scoreless frames on three hits to earn his second win of the season, both against Portland. Jeff Walters fanned three in the ninth to convert his 11th save in as many opportunities.
Keith Couch (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs but only one earned over 2.1 innings. Portland committed three errors in the ninth, two by Michael Almanzar.
The Mets sent all nine to the plate in the ninth. Richard Lucas led off the frame with an infield single and advanced to second base on throwing error by Almanzar. Alonzo Harris followed with a bunt-single and stole second base. With one out, Almanzar bobbled Daniel Muno's grounder, allowing Lucas to score. Darrell Ceciliani followed with a run-scoring single to left. Allan Dykstra reached on an infield-single, but a throwing error by SS Xander Bogaerts enabled Muno to cross the plate for the game's final run.
Portland starter Matt Barnes took a no-decision in his 8th start of the year. Barnes allowed five hits, three runs, one walk and seven strikeouts over 6 IP. Binghamton starter Erik Goeddel was equally good. The righty scattered six hits on three runs over six frames.
Binghamton scored in their first turn against Barnes. Muno led off the game with a double, advanced to third on a sac-bunt and scored on Puello's single.
Portland tied the game at one in the third inning off Goeddel. Peter Hissey singled with one out and stole second base with two gone. Tony Thomas ripped a game-tying RBI double to left field.
Both teams exchanged two spots in the sixth inning. Barnes walked Ceciliani with one out, and allowed consecutive run-scoring doubles to Puello and Dykstra. Travis Shaw started Portland's rally in the sixth with a one-out walk. Almanzar clobbered a two-run homer over the left-center field wall, his seventh of the season, and his second in as many nights.
Binghamton is one game behind Portland for the top spot in the Eastern Division and has won five straight.
Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Matt Barnes
The Sea Dogs continue their 3-game series with the Binghamton Mets on Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:00 PM from Hadlock Field. Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (5-1, 1.65) makes his eighth start of the season for Portland. Binghamton will have righty Erik Goeddel (3-2, 5.45) on the hill. Radio coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets. Friday night is the first Fireworks show of the season and the Sea Dogs Dance Team will perform. Tickets are available by calling 207-879-9500 or at seadogs.com.