Good morning from Municipal Stadium.

            With the Sunday games already underway on the East Coast, here’s a full Saturday in the Mets system.  The best news for me, aside from more bombs for Beltran, was the three impressive pitching performances from Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber and Michael Devaney. 

            Mike McGann of nybaseballcentral.com does a fine job with the dirty work below:

 

            Let’s see, the Mets are burning through the Braves like Sherman through Atlanta; trade talks continue but increasingly Mets’ GM Omar Minaya seems to be embracing the old “Just Say No” theory while Binghamton, which now officially makes the surface of the sun seem like a quiet place in the shade, wins its tenth straight game, if nothing else, “announcing itself with authority” in the Eastern League playoff race.

 

Stars of the Day:

AAA: Rueben Gotay

AA: Michael Devaney

A+: Phil Humber

A: Deolis Guerra

SSA: - Daniel Cummins

R (APP): Steven Holquin/Tim Stromach

R (GCL): - Greg Cain

 

 

 

Norfolk (AAA - International League)

@Norfolk 6, Richmond 4

 

            The whole “let’s turn Blake McGinely into a starter thing” might just have legs, as the lefty reliever, who had bad luck in his previous three starts final got a win, thanks in part to the new guy, Ruben Gotay, who continues to slaughter International League pitching since being acquired in a trade a couple of weeks back.

            McGinley (2-1) scattered seven hits over five innings, allowing just two earned runs, while Royce Ring picked up his 10th save of the season. Gotay had three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Michael Tucker, Edgardo Alfonzo and Victor Diaz all had two hits each.

 

 

Binghamton (AA - Eastern League)

Binghamton 7, Harrisburg 0

 

            Losing that Pelfrey guy to the Majors hasn’t hurt the B-Mets one whit thanks to two words: Michael Devaney. The righty won his third straight start since earning a promotion from Single-A St. Lucie, tossing seven innings of two-hit ball at beautiful NYSEG Stadium, Saturday.

            Devaney, (3-0) who continues to climb the Mets’ prospect food chain with each outing, was only marred by five walks. Ivan Maldonado and Eddie Camacho each pitched a scoreless inning.

            Carlos Gomez, Jorge Padilla and Wilson Batsista led a balanced B-Mets’ attack with a pair of hits each. The win brings Binghamton within two games of first place in the Eastern League’s Southern Division, just a half game behind Trenton for second. The top two teams in each division make the playoffs.

 

 

St. Lucie (A+ - Florida State League)

@Lakeland 2, St. Lucie 1

 

            Phil Humber had another strong outing, but the bullpen couldn’t hold a fragile lead on a night when the bats went silent.

            Humber allowed just two hits and no runs in five innings of work, striking out seven. It was unclear last night if Humber had reached a preset pitch count or there was another reason for his leaving the game after five innings. He pitched seven innings in his last outing.

            Corey Coles had three hits for St. Lucie.

 

 

 

 

Hagerstown (A – South Atlantic League)

@Hagerstown 7, Asheville 1

 

            Deolis Guerra tossed 5.2 innings of three-hit shut out ball and Jonel Pacheco had two hits and drive in a pair of runs to pace the Suns. Guerra (5-6) handcuffed the Tourists and was backed up by strong pen work by Brandon Nall and Jim Wladyka.

            Fernando Martinez, Hector Pellot and Jesus Gamero all had three hits in the game.

 

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn (SSA – New York Penn League)

@Brooklyn 5, Staten Island 4 (10)

 

            Daniel Cummins’ 10th inning single pushed Brooklyn past Staten Island. Starter Duane Privett battled, scattering eight hits and three runs in five innings of work. The Cyclones managed to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth innings when Tim Grogan doubled home Elvis Cruz.

 

Kingsport Mets (R – Appalachian League)

@Kingsport 5, Princeton 2

@Kingsport 6, Princeton 5

 

            Starters Steven Holquin and Tim Stromach turned in strong outings, leading the K-Mets to a sweep of a doubleheader.

            Stronach (1-1) went five innings in the opener, allowing just five hits and two runs, while Dustin Childress pitched a pair of scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Brahiam Maldonado sparked the offense in the opener, with a pair of hits and two RBI.          In the nightcap, Holquin was even better limiting the Rays to one run and three hits in five innings but didn’t figure in the decision after the bullpen struggled late. Ritchie Price drove in a pair of runs for Kingsport.

 

 

 

GCL Mets (R – Gulf Coast League)

GCL Marlins 6, @GCL Mets 3

 

            Mets’ starter Luis Simeoli couldn’t escape the fourth inning — one that the Marlins ultimately scored four runs — as the Mets in scenic St. Lucie. Greg Cain had two hits and Daniel Stegall had a pair of RBI.