I can’t remember the last time I saw a team win a game, in the majors or minors, while getting outhit 13-2 as the Mets did Friday. 

            The Mets shuffled some outfielders and pitchers around A-ball on Friday although no high-profile prospects were involved.  Jamar Hill’s return from the DL for Binghamton was the precipitating event.  Hill was sent to St. Lucie.  Hill, now 25, was the Mets 48th round pick in 2001 out of Santa Ana (Ca) JC and signed as part of the now departed draft and follow process in the spring of 2002.  The Alaska native split time between St. Lucie (.258/.295/.337 in 45 G).and Binghamton (.300/.343/.459 in 58 G) a year ago.  To make room for Hill, outfielder Mike Hernandez was sent to Savannah.  The Mets signed the 24-year old Hernandez after he was released the by Tigers over the winter.  Hernandez spent the bulk of 2007 in the Florida State League where he hit .260/.326/.478 with 25 doubles and 20 jacks for the Lakeland Flying Tigers.  The Brooklyn native attended Oklahoma State. 

            St. Lucie also swapped out pitchers.  The Mets activated John David Wesley from extended spring training, and sent Jonathan Castillo back to XST.  Wesley, 27, is a journey man already.  He began his career as a nondrafted free agent with the Blue Jays in 2002, bounced over to independent ball as a member of the Sioux Falls Canaries in 05 and 06 and returned to affiliated baseball in the White Sox chain during the summer of 06.  Last year Wesley pitched effectively for both of the Sox A-ball affiliates, before finishing up at double-A Birmingham where he struck out 18 and walked just three in 15.1 innings. 

            When Mike Hernandez arrived in Savannah, the Gnats sent Brandon Kawal back to extended spring training.  Savannah is playing a man short after placing pitcher Jacobo Neguilis on the DL with a biceps strain. 

            In theory these moves could help make both St. Lucie and Savannah, both owners of last place in their divisions, slightly better. 

 

Stars of the Day:

AAA: Michel Abreu/Tony Armas

AA: Mike Carp & Fernando Martinez

A+: DJ Wabick & Josh Thole

A: Francisco Pena & Michael Hernandez/John Holdzom & Josh Stinson

 

New Orleans (AAA – Pacific Coast League)

@ New Orleans Zephyrs (13-9, -2.0) 3, Round Rock Express (7-14) 2 (10 innings)

 

            Michel Abreu (.261/.316/.386 in 88 AB) hit a towering home run past deepest left center with one out in the bottom of the tenth to keep New Orleans perfect in extra inning games.  The Zephyrs took a 2-1 lead in the seventh when Argenis Reyes singled home Jesus Feliciano (.306/.338/.371 in 62 AB) who had reached as a pinch-hitter.  Caleb Stewart (2-4) was the only Zephyr with more than one hit. 

            Tony Armas started, and did a fine job over seven innings, allowing just a run on a solo homer by Victor Diaz and three hits overall.  The veteran righty struck out five without issuing a walk.  Willie Collazo gave up the tying run in the eighth, his first blown save of the year.  Carlos Muniz came in challenging hitters and fired a perfect top of the tenth with a strikeout for his first win.  His ERA is still a perfect zero and in 5.2 innings at triple-A he’s given up just one hit.

            Round Rock committed five errors, hit one homer and lost. 

           

 

Binghamton (AA - Eastern League)

@ Portland Sea Dogs (14-7) 6, Binghamton Mets (10-12, -5.5) 4

 

            Jose Sanchez spotted the Dogs three runs on two homers in the first, but Binghamton rallied to take a 4-3 lead with a three run sixth, ignited by Mike Carp’s sixth home run of the year.  Carp (.412/.452/.706) was 1-4 and is already over halfway towards last year’s home run total of 11.  On this Friday night, like so many other nights recently, the B-Mets couldn’t hold a lead.  Sanchez gave up a game tying homer in the bottom half, and Eddie Camacho (1-2, 2.30) gave up a couple of runs on a go ahead homer in the seventh.  All told, Portland hit four homers, or two more than the B-Mets have hit in their last eight games. 

            Fernando Martinez (.268/.305/.381 in 97 AB) was 1-5 with a double to extend his hitting streak to nine.  He’s hitting .317 (13H /41AB) with 4 doubles and 2 RBI over the streak. 

            Manager Mako Oliveras and hitting coach Luis Natera were both ejected in the second inning arguing a foul tip on a third strike to Salomon Manriquez. 

            Portland committed five errors, hit four homers and won. 

 

 

St. Lucie (A+ - Florida State League)

Daytona Cubs (13-9) 8, @ St. Lucie Mets (2-20, -14.0) 7

 

            The Cubs hung a six-pack on the board in the top of the sixth against starter Dylan Owen (1-3, 4.39) and reliever John David Wesley to take an 8-2 lead to hand the Mets their 11th straight loss.  Wesley was making his 2008 debut. 

            The bottom of the Mets order did the most damage Friday, led by DH DJ Wabick (.235/.288/.324) who was 3-5 with a pair of doubles and two RBI and will be 24 in a month.  Twenty-one year old C Josh Thole, (.224/.283/.347) hitting right behind was 2-4 with a two-bagger and RBI of his own.  3B Leivi Ventura, age 24, batting behind Thole was 2-4 with a ribbie as well. 

            Scott Eyre worked an inning as part of his MLB rehab assignment from Chicago. 

 

Savannah (A – South Atlantic League)

@ Savannah Sand Gnats (7-15, -9.0) 5, Rome Braves (9-13) 3

 

            The Gnats rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to come from behind on a Fireworks Friday to send their crowd of 2,893 home happy.  Francisco Pena led off the seventh with a single and scored on a double by new-guy Michael Hernandez who crossed the plate moments later on a LF Darren Clark double.  SS Matt Bouchard, who was 2-4 with a double brought home Clark on an infield knock.  After a slow start, Pena is now on a six-game hit streak. The 18-year-old is hitting .254/.306/.343 through 18 games.  Hernandez was 2-4 in his Gnats debut.

            John Holdzkom (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K) who won the game and Josh Stinson (2 IP, 0H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K), who got the save each pitched well in relief. 

 

Toby Hyde has written Toby’s Mets Minor League Report since 2004.  Please pass this along to friends, family, co-workers, and Mets fans of all types.  To subscribe to the email newsletter, sign up here: http://groups.google.com/group/mets-minors?hl=en.  Archives are available at http://metsminors.metsblog.com.