First Inning Powers B-Mets to Sweep of RubberDucks, 5-2

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Mets used a three-run first inning to energize a 5-2 victory over the Akron RubberDucks on Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. The team completes the three-game sweep and tallied 41 hits over the weekend. T.J. Rivera highlighted the scorecard with a 3-for-4 performance.

Binghamton got to Akron starter Will Roberts right away. Brandon Nimmo led off the bottom of the first with a double and moved to third after Dilson Herrera singled. Brian Burgamy walked to load the bases. Jayce Boyd hit a ground ball into right field to bring home Nimmo for the first run of the game. Darrell Ceciliani then skied a pitch to left field that plated Herrera. The final run of the frame scored on a Rivera base knock and the B-Mets jumped in front 3-0.

They added to that total in the second. Wilfredo Tovar started the frame with a single and stole second. Herrera hit a one out pitch to deep-center field. Ollie Linton made the catch, but fell after making the play. That allowed Tovar to score all the way from second base for the 4-0 lead.

The B-Mets scored once again in the fifth. Ceciliani walked, advanced to second on a single and third on a wild pitch. Roberts left the game in favor of Louis Head. He gave up a sacrifice fly to Xorge Carrillo that brought Ceciliani across the plate to put the home team in front, 5-0.

Akron finally got on the board in the seventh against Randy Fontanez. The righty gave up a lead-off home run to Anthony Gallas to cut the deficit to 5-1.

The RubberDucks staged a final rally in the ninth against Adam Kolarek. Jaime Pedroza doubled to start the inning. With two outs, Joe Wendle collected his first hit of the series to score Pedroza and bring Akron within three, 5-2. 

Steven Matz (6-4) got the start for Binghamton and tossed five scoreless innings and struck out six. Roberts (12-12) surrendered five runs on seven hits in five-plus frames. B-Mets pitchers stuck out 11 more batters to bring their series total to 35. 

The B-Mets (81-52) continues their final homestand of the regular season on Monday against New Britain at 6:35 PM. RHP Rainy Lara goes for Binghamton, opposite LHP Taylor Rogers. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show, starting at 6:20 PM, can be heard on News Radio 1290 WNBF and on the Binghamton Mets Baseball Network via the TuneIn App.

POSTGAME NOTES: At 81-52, Binghamton is at their high-water mark of the season…Ceciliani went 0-for-2, ending his 11-game hitting streak…Matz has allowed just one earned run over his last 25 innings…Binghamton has at least nine hits in each of their last six games…They've won four straight…The B-Mets end the regular season with seven straight victories against the RubberDucks.

Catch the future stars of the New York Mets all season long at NYSEG Stadium. Visit BMETS.COM, stop by the box office or call 723-METS for tickets.

Be sure to follow the B-Mets on Facebook, Twitter and at the team's official website (www.bmets.com) for more team information. Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting "B-Mets Buzz with Tim Heiman" at bmets.mlblogs.com

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