B-Mets Need One Inning for Series-Opening Win

BINGHAMTON, NY -- The Trenton Thunder struck for the game's first two runs, but it was a six-run explosion in the 4th inning which propelled the Binghamton Mets to a series-opening victory over the Thunder Friday night.

The 6,182 fans at NYSEG Stadium marked the largest night crowd of the season for the B-Mets as they snapped a three-game losing streak. The B-Mets began the season with a 14-11 record, but had stumbled in their last 20 games (4-16) entering Friday night.

With a 2-0 lead under his belt entering the bottom of the 4th inning, Ronald Herrera couldn't escape the frame. There was a runner on first base with one out when the next four men reached, producing three runs and a B-Mets lead. After a popout, Derrik Gibson smoked a two-run triple into the rightfield corner to extend the lead to 5-2 before Herrera was pulled from the game.

Matt Tracy entered and allowed an infield single to Victor Cruzado for the inherited runner to score and make it 6-2. Though Tracy allowed an inherited runner to score, he (2.1 IP) and Giovanny Gallegos (2.0 IP) spun 4.1 shutout innings with two hits and five strikeouts out of the Thunder bullpen.

Binghamton's starter Casey Delgado allowed two runs on Cito Culver's RBI single in the top of the second inning to fall behind before his offense picked him up two innings later. In 21 games in the month of May, Culver is now batting 22-for-71 (.310) with 11 RBI. The other Thunder run was on Tyler Austin's third home run of the season- a solo shot to right-centerfield- to tie him for the team lead with Dante Bichette Jr.

In his fifth career Double-A start, Delgado allowed four hits and walked three while striking out five Thunder batters. All told, Binghamton struck out nine Thunder batters using Delgado (5) Luis Mateo (2) and Akeel Morris (2).

The Thunder and B-Mets continue their four-game series with Game 2 Saturday night at NYSEG Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage set for 6:50 p.m. on 91.3 FM, 1490 AM and streaming online at www.trentonthunder.com.