Fernando Martinez felt a pop in his hamstring Wednesday while Elvin Ramirez dealt in Savannah. 

 

Stars of the Day:

AAA: Off

AA: Eddie Kunz/Dan Murphy

A+: Ruben Tejada

A: Elvin Ramirez

 

New Orleans (AAA – Pacific Coast League)

New Orleans Zephyrs

 

Off.  The Zs begin a visit to Nashville Thursday with Brian Stokes (4-3, 5.68) takes on Mark DiFelice (3-0, 3.91). 

 

Binghamton (AA - Eastern League)

@ Binghamton Mets (17-21, -6.5) 5 New Britain Rock Cats (20-18) 2

 

            Binghamton never trailed after 3B Dan Murphy’s (.318/.364/.480) first inning two-run homer.  After a New Britain bob in the second, CF Fernando Martinez’s single put the Mets ahead for the rest of the night.  However, Martinez who was 1-2, was caught stealing in the second, and left the game with a hamstring injury.  After he heard “just a little pop,” he limped off the field according to Brian Moritz.  Martinez was replaced by Solomon Manriquez who played first, sending Nick Evans from first to the outfield.  Martinez did not start Thursday monring’s game.

            Sal Aguilar (3-0, 3.58) gave up two runs on five hits in five innings.  Eddie Kunz pitched a scoreless ninth for his eighth save.  He now hasn’t allowed a run over his last seven innings or five appearances. 

            Binghamton has won three in a row and six of seven on the heels of some much-improved pitching in the last week.

            Binghamton plays at Baseball in Education on 10:30 AM on Thursday.  I recommend Robert Ford’s radio broadcast.  He told a story of a scout praising Jon Niese’e poise when he’s in a jam as Niese was busy allowing three runs in the top of the first. Early morning games can be tough on the players.  In the first two innings, each starting third baseman committed errors and had trouble on at least one other ball. 

 

St. Lucie (A+ - Florida State League)

@ Vero Beach (19-20) 3, St. Lucie Mets (8-31, -16.0) 2

 

            Back to back St. Lucie homers by Ruben Tejada and Leivi Ventura briefly gave the Mets a 2-1 lead after two and a half innings, but the offense couldn’t do any more against Rays prospect Jeremy Hellickson.  Hellickson has been dealing to start 2008.  He is now 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 58 strikeouts against three walks in just 46.2 innings.  Meanwhile, on the other side, Nick Carr (0-4, 4.65) is still looking for his first win.  Carr took the loss, allowing all three Devil Rays runs in six innings fanning five and walking three.

            Tejada had a good night.  In addition to hitting his first homer of the year, Tejada’s (.229/.296/.301) was 2-3.  2B Luis Rivera was 2-4.

 

Savannah (A – South Atlantic League)

@ Savannah Sand Gnats (17-22, -9.5) 4, Asheville (27-13) 2

 

            Elvin Ramirez was dominant.  Ramirez (4-2, 3.29) didn’t allow a run in six innings, and gave up just three baserunners.  He struck out eight, allowed two hits and a walk.  Ramirez has won three of his last four starts and in four of his last five starts has allowed one run or fewer.  The righty with a big arm was Baseball America’s #30 prospect before the season, but is moving up. 

            RF Casey Craig was 2-4 while LF Michael Parker was 1-3 with a two-run triple.

 

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.