Wheeler Dazzles in Complete Game Shutout, 1-0

BINGHAMTON, NY - Zack Wheeler faced just three over the minimum in his first career complete game shutout, defeating the Erie SeaWolves 1-0 Saturday night at NYSEG Stadium. Wheeler scattered six hits and struck out seven while Reese Havens launched his seventh home run of the season to lead the B-Mets to their third straight victory.

Making his third start against Erie, Wheeler got off to a bumpy start by walking Jamie Johnson in the first. The free pass was quickly erased when Niuman Romero bounced into a double play, the first of three twin killings Erie rolled into.

The righty settled in nicely and faced the minimum over his first five frames. Erie's only threat came in the sixth when Tony Plagman led off with a double and moved to third on a sac bunt. Wheeler shut the door and kept the shutout alive by striking out James McCann and inducing Jamie Johnson to ground out to second on a strong barehanded play by Havens.

Meanwhile Erie starter James Avery kept the B-Mets offense in check, allowing one hit through five scoreless innings. The run came to an end in the sixth. After delivering in the field in the top of the inning, Havens came through at the plate in the bottom of the frame. With one out, he sent a solo home run over the left field wall to give Binghamton a 1-0 lead.

Given a one-run lead, Wheeler took the game to the finish line. He tossed a perfect seventh inning and worked around a hit batsman and a single in a scoreless eighth.

Wheeler returned for the ninth and induced McCann to ground out to start the frame. Johnson followed by dumping a single into left, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double. Romero kept Erie alive with a single, but Nick Castellanos struck out to end the game.

Wheeler (9-4) collected his third win in his last four starts. Avery (9-7) suffered his second loss against the B-Mets.

The B-Mets (44-48) complete their five-game series against the Erie SeaWolves Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM. RHP Gonzalez Germen takes the ball for Binghamton against RHP Cesar Carrillo. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pre-game show begins at 12:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.