Boyd, Barnes Blank B-Mets 5-0

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats rode a superb start from Matt Boyd and a five-run eighth inning to a 5-0 victory over the Binghamton Mets on Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton.

The Fisher Cats (18-19) salvaged a series split with the victory, batting around in the eighth inning to overwhelm the hosts. Binghamton (21-16) wasted a superb effort from starting pitcher Seth Lugo, who fanned six in seven shutout innings. It was the fourth shutout recorded by Fisher Cats pitching on the season.

Neither team was able to score over the first seven frames, with both Boyd (W, 3-1) and Lugo (ND) putting up goose eggs. The Fisher Cats finally broke the deadlock in the top of the eight against lefty reliever Chase Huchingson (L, 1-2). With one out, Jon Berti and Andy Fermin drew back-to-back walks, and Kevin Nolan laced a single to left to plate Berti, scoring the first run of the game. 

After a strikeout of K.C. Hobson, Huchingson served up another RBI single to Matt Newman, and issued a walk to Jorge Flores to load the bases. Jack Murphy earned his own free pass, scoring Fermin and forcing Huchingson out for reliever Julian Hilario with the score at 3-0. Hilario promptly allowed a two-run single by Christian Lopes, scoring Newman and Flores and making it a 5-0 game. The Mets never threatened after that, as Danny Barnes shut the hosts down in the 8th and 9th innings to secure the victory.

Boyd threw seven shutout frames with four strikeouts against seven hits and a walk to secure the victory, reducing his ERA to an infinitesimal 1.02 mark. Barnes dealt two perfect innings with one strikeout to finish the win for New Hampshire.

The Fisher Cats will open a three-game set against the Reading Fightin' Phils Monday night at 6:35 p.m., with righty Casey Lawrence on the hill for New Hampshire against Reading southpaw Tom Windle. Radio coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. with Ben Gellman on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and at www.nhfishercats.com.
 
The Fisher Cats return home for a Memorial Day Weekend celebration starting Friday, May 22. The stand includes three four Atlas Fireworks shows and a Memorial Day matinee. Tickets are available by visiting www.nhfishercats.com, visiting the stadium box office, or by calling (603) 641-2005.