Crazy Eights: Eight Run Eighth Propels K-Mets Past Rays

The K-Mets turned a nail-biter into a laugher Wednesday night, as they blew open an eighth inning scoreless tie with an eight-run eighth to defeat Princeton 8-0 and move to 2-0 on the young season.
The strong eighth inning cannot overshadow the K-Mets pitching staff, which continues to impress. Following the strong performance a night ago by Jose Moreno and Josh Walker, a trio of Mets pitchers combined to shutout the Rays.
Jose Butto got the start, and threw six scoreless innings and scattered five singles while allowing just one walk. Dedniel Nunez then picked up the win in relief by tossing two scores innings and allowing just one base runner on a walk. Finally it was Marbin Montijo who closed it out with a one-two-three 9^th inning.
The Mets offense, which poured on seven runs in Tuesday's opener, finally got hot in the eighth. Shervyen Newton led off the frame with a single to left. Luis Santana then followed with a single to left of his own, prompting a pitching change.
Mark Vientos greeted the new hurler with a lined single to center, breaking the tie. Two batters later, Anthony Dirocie tripled in two to give the Mets some breathing room, but Kingsport was far from done.
Hayden Senger roped an RBI-single to left to plate Dirocie, Yoel Romero added an RBI single, and finally Newton plated a two-run double, on his second hit of the frame.
When the dust settled, Kingsport had plated eight runs, which would more than enough for Montijo to close it down in the 9^th.
The Mets will go for the sweep Thursday evening against the Rays, and it's Kingsport Employee Appreciation Night at Hunter Wright Stadium. The Mets and welcoming the employees of the city of Kingsport and their families.