READING WINS OVER B-METS 9-6

Oberste’s Slam Fails to Ward Off Brooms, 9-6

READING, PA – Matt Oberste launched a grand slam in a five-run eighth inning, but the Binghamton Mets’ comeback bid fell short in a 9-6 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils on Wednesday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium. Reading tagged Mickey Jannis for a season-high seven runs to complete the three-game sweep. Binghamton suffered their fifth straight loss and their dropped seventh in a row to the Fightin Phils.
Trailing by a half-dozen runs, the B-Mets finally got their offense in gear in the eighth against Tom Windle. The first three batters in the inning reached on seeing-eye singles setting the table for Oberste’s bases-clearing blast to right field. Dominic Smith pulled the B-Mets within a run later in the inning with a pinch-hit sac fly against Yacksel Rios.
The B-Mets had the potential tying run 90 feet away, but Derrik Gibson was rung up by first base umpire John Mang on a disputed check swing to end the inning.
Reading plated two insurance runs in the eighth and Miguel Nunez worked a perfect ninth to solidify the sweep.
The B-Mets were forced to play from behind after the Fightin Phils made their offensive push against Jannis in the fourth. With two aboard, KC Serna broke a tie game by poking a two-run single into right field.
Reading sent eight men to the plate and stretched their lead in the fifth. Following an RBI double by Angelo Mora, the B-Mets intentionally walked Serna to load the bases for Reading starter Nick Pivetta. The plan failed as Pivetta smoked a two-run single into center, providing the highlight for Reading’s four-run inning.
Jannis (1-2) exited after the laborious fifth inning. The righty allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits, both Double-A career-high totals. Jannis walked four and hit three batters in his fifth straight winless start.
Pivetta (3-2) held the B-Mets to one run over six innings. The righty surrendered three hits and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth to earn his second win in as many starts. Nunez collected his second save.
The B-Mets (14-16) continue their two-city road trip in Portland, Maine. Binghamton starts a four-day, five-game series on Thursday night at 6:00 PM. RHP Robert Gsellman gets the ball against RHP Keith Couch. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 5:45 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: The B-Mets have been swept twice this season…Dominic Smith was not in the starting the lineup for the first time this season…Binghamton has scored one run in their previous 20 turns at the plate before the five-run eighth...Matt Oberste has hit three pro grand slams
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