Logan Verrett And Binghamton Mets Topple First Place Sea Dogs In Tenth, 3-2

A little redemption and two big runs in the eighth inning got starting pitcher Logan Verrett off the losing side of Saturday night’s game between the Binghamton Mets and the division leading Portland Sea Dogs, by tying the game at two.  After a scoreless ninth, the teams needed extra innings.

Portland picked up a pair of runs off Verrett in the third inning on three singles and a throwing error by third baseman Josh Rodriguez, but little else.  Logan Verrett was otherwise in full command of the Dogs, retiring the first eight batters he faced.  After the third inning, Logan retired the last twelve batters he faced before departing after seven full innings pitched.

February 27, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Major league baseballs lay in the dugout during the game between the New York Yankees ad Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Portland’s starting pitcher Drake Britton posted five innings of shutout ball, leaving the game staked to a two run lead.  After reliever Rafael Perez pitched a scoreless sixth for Portland, the Sea Dogs handed the ball off to Pete Ruiz, who followed with a scoreless seventh.

Adam Kolarek took over for Logan Verrett in the eighth, allowing two batters to reach safely, however harmlessly.  Portland’s Pete Ruiz was not as fortunate in the bottom of the frame.  After issuing a lead-off walk to second baseman Daniel Muno, Josh Rodriguez made up for his third inning miscue by launching his fourth home run of the season to right, tying the game at two.

Closer Jeff Walters entered the game for Binghamton, while Pete Ruiz stayed in to pitch a scoreless ninth, sending the game into extra innings.  Walters posted a second scoreless inning in the tenth.  In the bottom of the frame, the B-Mets faced Portland’s fourth pitcher, Will Latimer.  Daniel Muno drew a lead-off walk, and was successfully sacrificed over to second by Josh Rodriguez.  Latimer then issued a base on balls to Cesar Puello.  The game ended on a throwing error by Sea Dogs first baseman Travis Shaw off a ground ball batted by Allan Dykstra which allowed Muno to cross the plate with the winning run.

Jeff Walters (1-2) pitched two innings in gaining his first relief win of the season.  He allowed no hits, walked one, and struck out three.  Walters saw his ERA dip from 3.38 to a 3.10 mark, and now has twenty-one strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched for a 9.1 K/9 average.  Starter Logan Verrett earned a no decision for his efforts, but lowered his ERA from 3.21 entering the game, to a 3.07 mark afterwards.  Verrett also reduced his season WHiP from 1.044, to a 0.980 spot, as three hits in the third inning were all Logan allowed, along with no walks and nine strikeouts.  Portland’s Will Latimer (0-4) took the loss in relief.

Binghamton’s win gave the Mets a split of their four game series, improved their record to 27-22, and got them back within two games again of the division leading Sea Dogs.  The continuing battle for first place versus Portland is scheduled for early this evening, followed by game four on Memorial Day.

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