READING EDGES B-METS 1-0

Montero Shines, Offense Dims in 1-0 Loss

READING, PA – Rafael Montero fired seven strong innings, but the Binghamton Mets offense stalled in a 1-0 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils on Monday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Rhys Hoskins’ solo homer in the second sent Binghamton to the shutout defeat in the series opener.
Following a 92-minute delayed start due to rain, Hoskins struck in the second inning. The first baseman belted a payoff pitch from Montero over the left-center field wall for his league-leading 29^th home run of the season. The blast proved to be the only blemish on Montero’s tab.
The B-Mets, attempting to shake off Sunday’s nine-hour bus ride from Portland, struggled to get a read on Reading starter Tyler Viza. The righty retired the first ten batters he faced and did not surrender a hit until the fifth inning.
Binghamton’s only chance against Viza came in the sixth when Rafael Montero deposited a triple into the right-field corner, his first career extra-base hit. Viza left his fellow pitcher anchored at third by striking out Champ Stuart and Phillip Evans to end the threat.
In the ninth against closer Miguel Nunez, Stuart lead off with a single, but was gunned down by Andrew Pullin at third base in an attempt to take two bases on an Evans’ single to left. Nunez stranded Evans at second to lock down his 12^th save.
Outside of Hoskins’ home run, Montero (1-1) was sharp in his third start with Binghamton. The righty faced just two over the minimum, issued no walks, and racked up six strikeouts over seven innings of work. With a runner in scoring position in the seventh, Montero ended his night by fanning Hoskins looking.
Viza (4-3) struck out five and allowed two hits over seven innings in the victory.
The B-Mets (47-53) continue their visit to Reading on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Josh Zeid makes his second start on the road trip against RHP Thomas Eshelman. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting a 6:50 PM on News Radio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Mets channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Binghamton suffered their fifth shutout loss of the season and second 1-0 defeat (May 13 @ Portland)…Logan Taylor threw a scoreless eighth inning, his first appearance on the road trip…the delayed start was Binghamton’s second in three games (1:34, July 23 @ Portland)…the B-Mets have lost six straight games at FirstEnergy Stadium dating back to 2015
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