Yet more roster movement.  At the upper levels, the Mets shuffled pitchers, to accommodate Mike Pelfrey in AAA and help the B-Mets.  Fernando Martinez made the jump to the FSL from Hagerstown at only 17 and was 1-4 in his debut in Florida.

            One thing that’s cool about a small town: walking into a bar and seeing hammered season ticket holders who buy drinks.

            One thing that sometimes becomes a pain about small towns: walking into a bar and hanging out with hammered season ticket holders.

 

Stars of the Day:

AAA: Dave Williams & Jose Lima/Edgardo Alfonzo

AA: The Bullpen/Michel Abreu & Joe Hietpas

A+: -

A: Waner Mateo

SSA: Jeremy Mizzell/Dustin Martin & Joe Holden & Timothy Grogan

R (APP): DJ Wabick
R (GCL): Richard Pena/Josh Stinson & Jonathan Koller & John Holdzkom

 

Norfolk (AAA - International League)

@ Buffalo 7, Norfolk 6

 

            The Tides rallied with six runs in the seventh inning, but couldn’t overcome Oliver Perez’s rough start.  In his first appearance for the Mets organization, Perez lasted only 2.2 innings, yielding seven runs on six hits and four walks.  He did strike out four batters. 

            Edgardo Alfonzo was the only Tide with two hits in a 2-3 night with a walk.  Anderson Hernandez was 1-4 to run his hit streak to eight games. 

            Dave Williams and Jose Lima both did a nice job in relief, combining on five shutout innings.

 

Binghamton (AA - Eastern League)

@ Binghamton 6, Connecticut 4

 

            The B-Mets came from behind with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat Connecticut moving the B-Mets a season-best 10 games over .500.

            Philip Humber lasted only 4.1 innings in his 2006 Binghamton debut.  He allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five.  However, there were lots of positive vibes about and from Humber.  He told the Press and Sun Bulletin that “I wasn’t throwing stuff like this at any time last year” and that his problem was simple: “It’s just location was the main thing I was missing.”  He was working on a pitch count of just 75.

            Flamethrowers Matt Lindstrom and Henry Owens combined on the final two scoreless innings.  Lindstrom struck out two. 

            Joe Hietpas’ two run single put the B-Mets out in front.  Michel Abreu had another big game going 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI.  Carlos Gomez went 2-3 with a double, RBI, and just as excitingly, a walk. 

            Anderson Garcia and Willie Collazo were sent down from Norfolk. 

 

St. Lucie (A+ - Florida State League)

@ Clearwater 6, St. Lucie 2

 

            Not a lot here except for Fernando Martinez’s first game in St. Lucie.  He was 1-4 at the top of the order  The offense had five singles, including one each from Mike Carp and Jesus Flores.  Chuck Smith, back in St. Lucie, allowed two runs on five hits, while Edgar Alfonzo was pegged for four runs in one inning of relief for the loss. 

              Rich Rundles was sent down from Binghamton. 

 

Hagerstown (A – South Atlantic League)

@ Augusta 1, Hagerstown 0

 

            The Suns, without top threat Fernando Martinez, had only five hits, and Jesus Gamero’s double was the only extra-base hit. 

            Waner Mateo was the tough-luck loser.  He allowed just one run in seven innings he walked two and struck out one. 

 

Brooklyn (SSA – New York Penn League)

Brooklyn 9, Tri-City 5

 

            The Cyclones tied a franchise record with their 12th straight win and now have first place all to themselves for the first time in the McNamara Division. 

            The Cats scored four times in the first threee innings against Nelson Portillo.  Jeremy Mizzell followed with four sharp innings for the win.  He allowed just one run and fanned two. 

            The Cyclones brought a balanced attack – 5 players had two hits.  Dustin Martin tripled again, his sixth, and drove home two.  Joe Holden was 2-5 from the leadoff spot with 2 RBI.  Timothy Grogan drove home three in a 2-4 evening with a double. 

 

Kingsport Mets (R – Appalachian League)

Bluefield 6, @ Kingsport 1

 

            DJ Wabick (.324/.435/.431) doubled twice in a 3-4 evening. 

GCL Mets (R – Gulf Coast League)

GCL Mets 5, @ GCL Nationals 0

 

            Leadoff man Richard Pena (.245/.336/.382) began the scoring by socking his second HR of the year in the fourth.  He finished 3-5 with a double, HR and 2 RBI. 

            The staff combined for 10 punchouts.  Starter Josh Stinson had five in his four innings, Jonathan Koller whiffed four in three innings and John Holdzkom added one as well.