The Binghamton Mets (2-0) took a commanding two-games-to-none lead over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (0-2) in the best-of-five ELCS with a, 5-1, win at The Diamond on Wednesday night. Richmond’s offense continued to sputter in the postseason, held to one run or less for the third time in six games. The Squirrels have plated just 13 runs total in those six games.
Binghamton opened the scoring against lefty Adalberto Mejia in the second inning. Mejia issued a lead-off walk to Dustin Lawley. Xorge Carillo followed and cranked a two-run home run to left field for a 2-0 lead.
The Squirrels struck right back against right-hander Greg Peavey in the bottom of the second. Mario Lisson started the inning with a first-pitch double into the left-field corner. Devin Harris followed and roped an opposite-field double to right field. Lisson scored easily to slice the Binghamton lead in half, 2-1. The Squirrels would later squander an opportunity with runners at the corners and nobody out to remain behind in the ballgame.
Mejia (0-1) didn’t blink again, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters that he faced. He worked six innings, charged with just two runs on three hits. He walked two, struck out five and was saddled with the hard-luck loss.
Richmond allowed Peavey (1-0) to settle in, which he did nicely. He earned the win over seven innings. He allowed just the lone run on five hits, walked none and struck out nine. He struck out the final four batters that he faced and six of the final seven.
As they did in game one, the B-Mets broke the game open in the eighth inning. Right-hander Edwin Quirarte issued a one-out walk to Brandon Nimmo. Quirarte recorded the second out, but Richmond elected to intentionally walk Brian Burgamy to get to Travis Taijeron. He proceeded to drive a high-flying three-run home run to left field. The blast put the game out of reach for Richmond, 5-1.
Right-handers Randy Fontanez and Cody Satterwhite had no trouble securing the win from there. Fontanez worked a scoreless eighth inning before Satterwhite closed out the Squirrels in order in the ninth.
Game 3 of the ELCS is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, NY, on Friday night. Richmond LHP Ty Blach (8-8, 3.13) will make the start against Binghamton LHP Steven Matz (6-5, 2.27). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin at 6:35 p.m. on 1140 AM WRVA, 98.5 FM and www.1140rva.com.
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Chris Graham
