Yard Goats Defeated By Former NY Mets Pitcher
Binghamton, NY- The Hartford Yard Goats (70-56) were defeated by the Binghamton Mets (59-67) by the score of 6-3 on Monday night in the first of a three game series at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, New York. Binghamton starter Rafael Montero, who pitched in the Major League's for the New York Mets in April, hurled seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts and improved to 4-2. The Yard Goats rallied to score three runs off reliever Tim Peterson in the eighth inning and had the tying run at second base when the inning ended. Hartford starter Yency Almonte who was reached for four runs (3 ER) over the first four innings finished strong and retired 11 of the final 12 batters faced in six innings. He was tagged with the loss but recorded this third straight quality start.
Trailing 4-0 in the eighth inning, the Yard Goats scored three runs to make it a one run game. Juan Ciriaco and Ashley Graeter had doubles and Jan Vasquez had a RBI single during the three run rally. However, the B-Mets added a pair of runs off the Hartford bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a three run lead.
The B-Mets scored two runs in the first inning off Hartford starter Yency Almonte. Champ Steward led off the inning with a single and stole second base and then took third on a hit by Mets prospect Amed Rosario. Dominic Smith's sacrifice fly scored Stuart and gave Binghamton a 1-0 lead. Later that inning, Rosario stole second base and a throwing and fielding error on the same play allowed him to score, making it 2-0 B-Mets.
The B-Mets added a pair of runs in the third inning on back-to-back home runs. With one out, Amed Rosario hit a line drive homer over the left field fence, his second of the season, giving Binghamton a 3-0 edge. Dominic Smith followed with a solo blast over the centerfield fence, his 14th of the season, making it 4-0 B-Mets.
Hartford righty Yency Almonte would settle down and find his grove after allowing four runs (3ER) over the first three innings. Almonte retired 11 of the final 12 batters faced, including the side in order in the fourth and sixth innings.
The Yard Goats continue a 3-game series on Tuesday evening (6:35 PM) against the Binghamton Mets at NySeg Stadium in Binghamton, New York. RHP Alex Balog will start for the Yard Goats. The game will be broadcast live on News Radio 1410 WPOP.