Mazzilli Slides In, B-Mets Walk Off, 2-1

BINGHAMTON, NY - L.J. Mazzilli legged out a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Binghamton Mets defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 2-1, Monday night at NYSEG Stadium. Mickey Jannis struck out a Double-A career-best eight batters over seven shutout innings in a no-decision.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Mazzilli bounced a dribbler down the first base line. Ricky Oropesa fielded it and lunged to tag but Mazzilli slid headfirst around the tag, allowing Matt Oberste to score from third to give Binghamton a 2-1 win. 

The B-Mets took an early lead as the result of one swing in the bottom of the second. Victor Cruzado took Kyle Crick deep to right-center, a solo shot that gave Binghamton a 1-0 advantage. It was Cruzado's fourth of the season, tying Dominic Smith for the team lead.

Meanwhile Jannis was dealing. He retired ten-straight batters from the second to the fifth and set down 16 of the last 17 he faced. Jannis allowed only three runs in seven innings with eight strikeouts and did not walk a batter for the first time this season. He did not factor in the decision.

Akeel Morris came on for the ninth and struck out the first two batters he faced. Christian Arroyo then took the first pitch he saw deep to left field for a game-tying home run.

Mazzilli finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Smith was 2-for-4 with a double and Oberste went 2-for-4 with a double and the game-winning run.

Morris (2-1) picked up the win with two strikeouts in one one-run inning despite blowing his third save of the season.

Game two of the four-game series is set for Tuesday at 6:35. RHP Tyler Pill will start for Binghamton against Richmond's LHP Adalberto Mejia. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:20 P.M. on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES: The B-Mets earned their first walk-off of the season and their first since Vince Belnome hit a walk-off homer 9/7/15 against Altoona…all four of Victor Cruzado's home runes have come at NYSEG Stadium…the B-Mets first four hits went for extra bases.