B-Mets Sweep Past Squirrels To Eastern League Title

Binghamton, NY - The Binghamton Mets (3-0) claimed their first Eastern League title in 20 years with a walk-off, 2-1, win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (0-3) on Friday night at NYSEG Stadium. The win completed a three-game sweep and gave Binghamton their first championship since 1994. The Squirrels were bidding for their first franchise title.

With the ballgame tied, 1-1, into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Squirrels brought in lefty Steven Okert. He recorded the first out, but Xorge Carillo yanked a single into left field. Wilfredo Tovar followed and moved the winning run into scoring-position with a single shoved to right field. Gavin Cecchini came on to pinch-run for Carillo. Jayce Boyd was sent up as a pinch-hitter. He delivered the title to Binghamton by crunching a liner to right-center field. The single plated Cecchini and sparked a raucous celebration behind second base.

Lefties Steven Matz and Ty Blach traded zeroes for the first three innings. Matz added a fourth scoreless inning, but Blach couldn't hold serve in the bottom of the frame. Travis Taijeron led off with a single on the infield. Blach recorded the first out, but with the runner going, Brandon Nimmo sent a ground ball that deflected for a hit off the second-base bag. Taijeron moved to third on the play. Xorge Carillo then made it 1-0 for the B-Mets with a sacrifice-fly to center field.

Matz held the Squirrels without a hit through seven innings. He also recorded the first out of the eighth. However, Elliott Blair recorded the first hit for Richmond - a single to right field - and sparked an uprising. Eliezer Zambrano then pinch-hit for Tyler LaTorre and squeezed a single through the right-side of the infield. Matz was lifted in favor of righty Hansel Robles. Robles fanned Tyler Horan - pinch hitting for Blach - for the second out. However, Daniel Carbonell followed and laced a single into right field. Blair scored to tie the game, 1-1.

Neither Matz or Blach factored in the decision despite sterling efforts. Blach was charged with just a lone run on five hits across seven innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out six. Matz worked 7 1/3 innings. He permitted just a lone run on two hits. He walked two and struck out 11.

Right-hander Cody Satterwhite (2-0) earned the win for the B-Mets. He worked a scoreless top of the ninth inning. Okert (0-1) endured the loss for the Squirrels.

The 2014 season has concluded for the Squirrels.

 

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