Pitching was the theme of the day for Mets minor league teams. In three games of farm action, our pitchers gave up only three runs COMBINED. How often do you see that kind of accomplishment?
We'll start it off, as always, with Buffalo. The Bisons opened up a four game set at home against the Indianapolis Indians by dropping the first game 2-0. As was previously mentioned, pitching was the theme in this one. Pat Misch pitched well for the Bisons, going seven innings and allowing six hits, a walk and two runs. His only real mistake on the day was serving up a two-run shot to the Indians' Jim Negrych. The Bisons managed only three hits, one apiece by F-Mart, Duda, and Josh Thole. Just have to tip your cap to the Indians' pitchers for shutting the Bisons down the whole way. Tomorrow is a new day, boys.
The B-Mets finished their three game set in Richmond with a pitching gem of their own. They took the rubber match from the Flying Squirrels 1-0. The lone run was put up by the B-Mets before this one barely got started. Shortstop Luis Hernandez lead off the game with a single and the next batter, recent promotion Sean Ratliff, doubled him in. Starting pitcher Eric Niesen took over from there, going 5.1 innings, scattering four singles, four walks and striking out five for the win. The double play was his best friend tonight, as he induced three of them to prevent those walks from hurting him. The B-Mets bullpen also pitched outstanding baseball, as Scott Shaw and Manny Alvarez combined to go 3.2 while allowing only one hit and striking out three. Alvarez picked up the save by going the last two.
The St. Lucie Mets were off last night. They'll open up a three game series with the second place Palm Beach Cardinals. Scott Moviel (2-6, 6.83 ERA) will take the hill against an as-yet determined Palm Beach pitcher.
Down in Savannah, the first place Sand Gnats opened up a four game set against the second place Augusta GreenJackets (who were only a game behind the Gnats) with a 4-1 win. As always seems to be the case for the Sand Gnats, their starting pitching set the tone. Armando Rodriguez went 6.1, gave up six hits, only one run, three walks and struck out six to earn the win. Just as was the case with the B-Mets, the Sand Gnats also got great pitching from their bullpen. Erik Turgeon went 1.1 perfect innings while striking out two. Mike Powers was slightly less impressive, going one inning and giving up a hit, but also striking out two, to earn the save. The Sand Gnats now need only one win in the remaining three games to wrap up the first half championship. Let's make it happen.
Down On The Farm - 6/17/10
