Harrisburg Senators Toss Combined No-Hitter Over Binghamton; Mets Lose 6-1, Spoiling Feat With One Unearned Run

Is there such a thing as bypassing the indignity of getting no-hit over nine innings at home, by still spoiling the shutout?  While that may have been a hollow consolation for the 1,537 fans in attendance at NYSEG Stadium Thursday, the Binghamton Mets did just that.  What should have been a festive night, considering the B-Mets were returning from the road to open a seven game home stand, instead turned into a rather unique, if not ponderous two hour and thirty-three minute affair.

June 05, 2011; Flushing, NY, USA; The New York Mets logo behind home plate before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Braves 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Andrew B. Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

At least the ticket stub is worth saving, because Paul Demny of the visiting Harrisburg Senators pitched eight innings, surrendered no hits, allowed one unearned run in the seventh, walked three, hit a batter and struck out five Mets en-route to a 6-1 final in Binghamton.  Demny retired the side in order in the second, third, fifth, and struck out the side in the six inning.  He retired the side in order again in the eighth.  Charged with pitching the ninth, reliever Ian Krol punctuated the night by striking out the last two batters of the game to preserve the somewhat compromised no-hitter.

Paul Demny sabotaged his own effort when he issued a lead off walk to Allan Dykstra in the seventh inning.  Next, Demny fielded a come-backer off the bat of Cesar Puello, but threw errant to first base, resulting in Dykstra reaching third.  Dykstra then scored when Francisco Pena grounded into a 3-6-3 double play.

Jacob deGrom made Thursday’s unceremonious start for Binghamton.  In 5.2 innings pitched, deGrom allowed six runs, however, two were unearned as the Mets committed three throwing errors in the game.  Otherwise, the Senators touched him up for nine hits, five of which were doubles.  He only walked one batter and struck out five before heading for the showers.  Jacob’s ERA grew to a 5.10 mark in the Eastern League, where he is now the loser of four straight decisions since being promoted from Port St. Lucie.  He made just two starts prior to his arrival in Binghamton, striking out thirteen batters, and walking only two in twelve innings pitched.

On the bright side, the bullpen pitched well over the final 3.1 innings of the game.  Chase Huchingson and John Church combined to keep Harrisburg scoreless the rest of the way, allowing no hits, walking two, and accumulating six strikeouts.

Thursday’s loss dropped the B-Mets to 17-17 on the season.  They ended the night in fourth place of the Eastern Division, 4 1/2 games behind the leading Portland Sea Dogs.

EXTRA INNINGS

*  With a .293 batting average, outfielder Cory Vaughn is currently St. Lucie’s leading hitter.  He also tops the team with four home runs, seventeen runs batted in, an .896 OPS, and is tied for first with eighteen runs scored.  He ranks second on the team with a .396 OBP, and a .500 slugging average.

*  Josh Edgin has fared no better in Binghamton.  He has made four appearances since being demoted back in April.  In 6.2 innings, Josh has allowed seven hits and walked three, for a 1.50 WHiP.  He has surrendered five earned runs for a 6.75 ERA, but continues to strikeout batters at a handsome clip, nine so far, for a 12.2 K/9 average.

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