Rafael Montero gets a shot at AAA as each affiliate begins a new series today.

AA: Binghamton Mets (24-19) @ New Britain Rock Cats [MIN] (20-23) Listen
Monday 6:35 ET – RHP Logan Verrett (5-1, 3.15) vs. LHP Pat Dean (1-4, 5.67)

Logan Verrett allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5 over 7 IP in this last start.
Cory Vaughn has been named Eastern League player of the week for May 13-19 hitting .400 with 9 RBI.
Pat Dean gave up 7 runs on 6 hits and 2 BB/2 K in his last start at Bowie. He has a 3.45 ERA at home.
New Britain is on a 7 game losing streak, falling to four games back of Binghamton for second place. They are led offensively by C Josmil Pinto (.329/.414/.551) with 8 home runs and OF Daniel Ortiz (.293/.337/.490) who is currently on a 7 game hitting streak. Their pitching is last in the EL with a 1.48 whip

A+: St. Lucie Mets (24-17) @ Dunedin Blue Jays [TOR] (23-15) Listen
Monday 6:30 ET – RHP Matt Bowman (2-0, 2.08) vs. RHP Casey Lawrence (3-3, 3.61)

Matt Bowman had it all working in his last start, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 9 over 7 IP. Over two levels he has struck out 42 over 43.2 IP and has as many wins as walks (6).
Josh Johnson is doing some rehab with Dunedin tonight.  Casey Lawrence picked up a win at Fort Myers in his last start (7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K.)   3B/SS Andy Burns leads their offense with a .331/.421/.545 line with 4 triples, 14 SB in 20 attempts, and 22 BB to 19 K.  The Dunedin staff has put up the best whip in the FSL at 1.12 and the second best ERA at 3.15 allowing the least hits in the league.

A: Charleston RiverDogs [NYY] (24-16) @ Savannah Sand Gnats (24-17) Listen
Monday 7:05 ET – RHP Cesar Vargas (1-1, 4.11) vs. RHP Gabriel Ynoa (4-2, 4.08)

Cesar Vargas limited the Gnats 1 run in his last start despite 4 hits, 3 walks, and 1 K over 3.1 IP.
In his last start Gabriel Ynoa pitched into the 7th inning for the third time this year, going 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6K against the RiverDogs. He has struck out 37 and walked 7 in 39.2 IP over 7 starts.
Brandon Nimmo still hasn’t found his hand well enough to return to the lineup.
Charleston won 3 of 4 against Greenville to remain a half game ahead of the Gnats for first place. Their pitching leads the SAL in strike outs with 10.3/9 IP.  Catcher Pete O’Brien is hitting .325/.381/.573 with 14 doubles and 5 home runs, and is on a 9 game hitting streak. He was the Yankees 2nd round pick last year.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s (20-21) @ Iowa Cubs [CHC] (16-24) Listen
Monday 7:35 ET – RHP Rafael Montero (4-3, 3.47 in AA) vs. RHP Barret Loux (2-2, 8.22)

Rafael Montero has a 1.88 ERA on the road this year.  He’s struck out between 5 and 8 batters in each start, and not walked more than 2 in any start (54K/6BB total) in AA.  With Matt Fox having been signed, and Zack Wheeler expected back Wednesday, this is expected to be a one and done for Montero before heading back to Binghamton.
Barret Loux did not enjoy Reno in his last start, allowing 7 runs on 9 hits and 3 BB/2 K over 3.1 IP. In two home starts he’s allowed 1 run over 10 IP. He was the 6th overall pick in the 2010 draft by Arizona, who then opted not to sign him over injury concerns.
Brian Bogusevic leads the Iowa Cubs hitting .362/.454/.531 with 9 SB. Blake Parker has struck out 21 and walked 9 while picking up 5 saves over 13 relief appearances.

AA: Binghamton Mets (23-19) @ Portland Sea Dogs (24-16) Listen
Sunday 1:00 ET – RHP Cory Mazzoni (1-1, 1.98) vs. LHP Drake Britton (3-3, 4.35)

Cory Mazzoni allowed 1 run on 4 hits over 5.2 IP, striking out 5 in his second start off the disabled list.
Drake Britton lost in Binghamton on April 16th allowing 3 runs on 6 hits over 5 IP. He struck out 7 that day, which is tied for his season high.

A+: St. Lucie Mets (24-16) @ Bradenton Marauders (16-26) Listen
Sunday 1:00 ET – RHP Hansel Robles (3-1, 2.64) vs. HP Nick Kingham (4-2, 3.79)

Hansel Robles has not faced Bradenton yet this year. He only went 4 IP his last start, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5.
Nick Kingham couldn’t get out of the first inning in his last start, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He’s pitched much better at home, putting up a 2.25 ERA and striking out 23 to 1 walk.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (23-17) @ Augusta GreenJackets (24-17) Listen
Sunday 2:05 ET – RHP Luis Cessa (2-2, 3.93) vs. HP Martin Agosta (5-1, 2.17)

Luis Cessa has allowed 13 runs in his last three starts, and in his last start he walked 4 after only walking 2 in his five prior starts. His road ERA for the year is 5.06.
Jayce Boyd and Kevin Plawecki are hitting an identical 52 of 143 (.364) and have each scored 24 runs with 30 RBI.
Martin Agosta allowed 2 runs on 6 hits over 6 IP in his last start, walking 2 and striking out 7. At home he has a 1.21 ERA winning all 4 of his starts.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s (20-20) @ Omaha Storm Chasers (20-20) Listen
Sunday 3:05 ET – RHP Chris Schwinden (2-4, 5.85) vs. LHP Ryan Verdugo (2-2, 4.38)

Chris Schwinden allowed 5 runs on 7 hits over 5 IP in his last start, striking out 4 and walking 1. 26K/15BB on the year with 7 homers and a .294 BAA.
Ryan Verdugo has a 5.17 ERA in 3 home starts, 12 K and 8 BB in 15.2 IP.

Despite the return of a couple of injured starers, two veteran lefties will remain in the rotation giving Binghamton and St. Lucie six man starting staffs.

AA: Binghamton Mets (23-18) @ Portland Sea Dogs (23-16) Listen
Saturday 1:00 ET – LHP Mark Cohoon (3-1, 3.15) vs. RHP Anthony Ranaudo (5-1, 1.38)

Mark Cohoon has not faced Portland yet this year. He has allowed 3 runs on 10 hits over 13.2 IP as a starter, striking out 16 and walking 6.
Anthony Ranaudo picked up a win against Binghamton on April 15th, throwing 5 no-hit innings, striking out 6 and walking 1. Overall this year he has struck out 41 and walked 10.

A+: St. Lucie Mets (23-16) @ Bradenton Marauders (16-25) Listen
Saturday 6:30 ET – LHP Angel Cuan (3-1, 5.76) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (1-0, 5.85)

Angel Cuan has faced Bradenton twice, picking up two wins while allowing 4 runs on 11 hits over 10 IP, striking out 12 and walking 3.
Adrian Sampson has started twice against St. Lucie allowing 3 runs on 7 hits over 9 IP striking out 5 and walking 4.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (22-17) @ Augusta GreenJackets (24-16) Listen
Saturday 7:05 ET – RHP Matt Koch (1-2, 5.40) vs. LHP Matthew Lujon (NR)

Matt Koch‘s poor outing to start the year (1.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER) came against Augusta. Since that game he has worked to a 3.23 ERA, and still hasn’t walked a batter on the year, while striking out 20.
Matt Lujon makes his SAL debut today after pitching last year in the Arizona rookie league.  In 37 IP he struck out 35 and walked 11, while allowing batters to hit .185 against him.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s (19-20) @ Omaha Storm Chasers (20-19) Listen
Saturday 8:05 ET – RHP Carlos Torres (1-3, 6.35) vs. LHP Chris Dwyer (3-1, 2.70)

Carlos Torres had his best start of the year his last time out, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk over 6 IP, while striking out 3.  He has a 2.45 ERA in two road starts.
Chris Dwyer (2009 4th round pick) has posted a 1.77 ERA in 3 home starts, striking out 18 and walking 8.

AA: Binghamton Mets (22-18) @ Portland Sea Dogs [BOS] (23-15) Listen
Friday 6:00 ET – RHP Erik Goeddel (3-2, 5.45) vs. RHP Matt Barnes (3-1, 4.65)

Erik Goeddel faced Portland on April 24th allowing 4 runs on 6 hits over 4 IP with 2 BB and 3 K. He’s struck out 36 and walked 16 on the year.
Matt Barnes has struck out 38 and walked 12 in 31 IP this year. He has not faced Binghamton yet in 2013, and has allowed 2 ER in his last three starts including a 10 strikeout effort at Reading.
Michael Almanzar is hitting .304/.373/.511 and hit his 10th double and 6th home run last night as part of a 3 hit, 5 rbi game.  Xander Bogarts is hitting .323 and slugging .523 at home versus .242 and .339 on the road.

A+: St. Lucie Mets (23-15) @ Bradenton Marauders [PIT] (15-25) Listen
Friday 6:30 ET – RHP Jenry Mejia (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Zack Dodson (0-1, 4.09)

Jenry Mejia went two innings in a rehab start six days ago. The game was halted by rain, canceled and the results expunged. LHP Angel Cuan (3-1, 5.76) could follow as he has experience both as a starter and reliever this year, and hasn’t appeared since last Friday.
Zack Dodson allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 1 BB in 6 IP six days ago, in his second start this year. He was a 4th round pick in 2009 out of high school and has logged over 250 IP below Advanced A.
Since starting the year 2-12 Bradenton has stabilized, going 8-10 since they last faced St. Lucie.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (22-18) @ Augusta GreenJackets (23-16) Listen
Friday 7:05 ET – RHP Robert Gsellman (1-0, 1.69) vs. RHP Joe Biagini (1-0, 6.38)

In his first SAL start Robert Gsellman allowed 1 run on 4 hits over 5.1 IP, with 2 BB/2 K. In two FSL starts he walked 5 and struck out 5.
Joe Biagini allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 BB in 3 IP in his last start, back on April 8th he faced the Gnats going 4.1 IP allowing 3 R (2 ER) on 3 hits and 2 BB, striking out 5.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s (18-20) @ Omaha Storm Chasers (20-18) Listen
Friday 8:05 ET – RHP Matt Fox (NR) vs. LHP Will Smith (3-1, 1.85)

Matt Fox was signed to join the 51s rotation to help offset the loss of Collin McHugh and Zack Wheeler who is missing one start. Wheeler was put on the DL yesterday to make room for the return of Brandon Hicks who came off the DL and played SS. Another move will be needed to get Fox on the active roster.  Fox had been with York in the Atlantic League this year, in 17 IP he had struck out 18 and walked 3.  He made 3 starts for Tacoma last year (0-3, 5.11) in his only PCL experience.
Will Smith has struck out 41 and walked 11 in 34 IP (6 starts) In his last 4 AAA starts he’s allowed 1 run or less and gone 6 full innings.

A+: St. Lucie Mets (23-14) @ Brevard County Manatees (20-18) Listen
Thursday 6:35 ET – RHP Noah Syndergaard (2-1, 2.61) vs. RHP Brooks Hall (2-3, 2.75)

Noah Syndergaard has gone at least 6 IP in his last 4 starts, allowing just 4 runs (2 ER) striking out 23 and walking 6 over those 26 IP.
Brooks Hall last pitched in May 7th, throwing 5 IP and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, after which he went on the DL, and is expected to be activated for tonight’s game.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (21-16) @ Augusta GreenJackets [SF] (23-15) Listen
Thursday 7:05 ET – RHP Rainy Lara (4-1, 1.42) vs. HP Kendry Flores (2-2, 2.65)

Rainy Lara has lasted at least 7 innings in his last three starts, in which he has allowed 3 runs (1 ER) on 14 hits (.213) while walking 1 and striking out 23. Savannah pitching has walked the least in the SAL with 56 and hit just 3 batters, the next best teams have walked 115 and hit 12.
Kendry Flores has let in 2 runs in each of his home starts. In those 18.1 IP at home he’s allowed 13 hits and 2 walks while striking out 12. SS Matt Duffy is hitting .299/.417/.440 with 27 BB and 19 K.
Augusta’s offense is next to last in the SAL in OPS with a .238/.321/.318 slash line, but they are in first place on the strength of their pitching which has struck out the second most in the SAL, while allowing the second fewest home runs. The just swept three games from Rome to stay 1 game ahead of Charleston who swept the Gnats who fell to fourth, 1.5 games back.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s (18-19) @ Omaha Storm Chasers [KC] (19-18) Listen
Thursday 7:35 ET – RHP D J Mitchell (1-0, 6.62) vs. LHP Justin Marks (0-2, 6.00)

D J Mitchell has walked 10 and struck out 9 with Las Vegas after walking 7 in his lone start for Tacoma.  Josh Edgin has joined the team, taking Greg Burke’s spot in the bullpen.
Justin Marks made two starts in AA before earning the jump to the PCL where he’s allowed 13 hits in 9 IP, walking 6 and striking out 3. He was the A’s 3rd round pick in 2009 and was included in the David DeJesus trade.
Omaha’s Werner Park is one of the most neutral parks in the PCL, allowing 2% less runs and hits than average for the league, while allowing 9.3% more home runs. Old friend Xavier Nady is hitting .336/.391/.528 and has had three multi-hit games in his last four games.

AA: Binghamton Mets (22-18) off

Logan Verrett leads the EL in innings pitched with 54.1 while Rafael Montero is 6th with 46.2 IP and they are two of five EL starting pitchers with a whip under 1.00, Montero leads the EL in strikeouts with 54.
Binghamton heads to Portland Maine to take on the first place PawSox (22-15)  The B-Mets have gone 2-4 against Portland this year, including losing two out of three in Portland in mid-April, in a series plagued by sloppy play, played in freezing temps.

AA: Akron Aeros (19-20) @ Binghamton Mets (21-18) Listen
Wednesday 6:35 ET – RHP Jordan Cooper (1-0, 1.93) vs. RHP Jacob deGrom (0-4, 5.10)

Jordan Cooper made four starts in Advanced A (1-2, 2.19) with 17 K and 7 BB before being promoted to AA. In his last start he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 BB with 5 K at Reading.
Jacob deGrom has not has as easy an adjustment to AA striking out 14.6% and walking 6.9% at the level. His 9 walks in 5 AA starts are nearly halfway to his total of 22 walks over 21 starts at the A and Advanced A levels.

A+: St. Lucie Mets (23-13) @ Brevard County Manatees [MIL] (19-18) Listen
Wednesday 6:35 ET – LHP Alex Panteliodis (0-0, 2.70) vs. HP David Goforth (2-4, 3.41)

This series shifts a few miles north to Viera.  Alex Panteliodis will make his third start of the year tonight. He allowed 6 hits including 2 homers and 2 BB over 10 IP while striking out 7.
David Goforth has alternated between starts in which he has allowed no earned runs, and starts that he has allowed 5 runs or more. In his last start he went 7 shutout IP on 1 hit and 4 BB/1 K.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (21-15) @ Charleston RiverDogs (20-15) Listen
Wednesday 7:05 ET – LHP Steven Matz (2-0, 1.85) vs. RHP Cesar Vargas (1-1, 4.28)

Steven Matz allowed 1 run on 6 hits and a walk while striking out 4 over 6 IP in his last start. On the year he has struck out 29 and walked 8 over 27.1 IP in 6 starts.
Cesar Vargas struck out 4 and walked none over 2.2 IP in his last start.  On the year Vargas has struck out 26 and walked 9 in 27.1 IP and limited RH batters to a .164 average.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s (18-19) off

The 51s are in last place in the PCL Southern but just 3 games out of first. They will spend the next eight days on the road, going first to Omaha (19-18) and then Iowa. They will start this stretch without their two best starters as Zack Wheeler is resting his sore shoulder clavicle for a turn after seeing doctors in New York and Collin McHugh has joined the Mets in St. Louis to give the overworked pen a long reliever.  This would be a good time for Wilmer Flores to  go on a tear…

Travis d’Arnaud and Matt den Dekker could be getting close to rehab appearances with St. Lucie.  Players names link to articles from Metsblog about their progress.
Collin McHugh has been sent to St Louis to take the roster spot of Scott Atchison who went on the DL, meanwhile Matt Fox was signed to a minor league deal to start games for the 51s.  And Josh Edgin is reportedly on the way to join the 51s in Omaha.

AA: Akron Aeros (19-19) @ Binghamton Mets (20-18) Listen
Tuesday 6:35 ET – RHP Paolo Espino (1-0, 4.46) vs. RHP Logan Verrett (5-1, 3.04)

Paolo Espino has faced the B-Mets twice this year, combined he’s allowed 6 runs on 11 hits 5 BB amd 9 K over 9 IP. He has struck out 8 in each of his last two starts.
Logan Verrett nearly threw a complete game in his last start, getting lifted with one out to go after he had allowed 1 run on 5 hits and a walk with 9 strike outs. It was a season high in K’s and the first start of 2013 in which he didn’t allow a home run. The last time Verrett faced Akron at home he went 8 IP allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 BB and 8 K. He’s had three starts with 6 or more strike outs, and four starts with 3 or less.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (21-14) @ Charleston RiverDogs (19-15) Listen
Tuesday 7:05 ET – RHP Gabriel Ynoa (4-2, 4.32) vs. LHP Dan Camarena (0-2, 8.14)

Gabriel Ynoa last pitched 7 days ago in Hickory where he allowed 5 runs on 8 hits including 4 homers over 5 IP. He struck out 4 and walked none. 13 of the 17 runs Ynoa has allowed this year have come in his three road starts, in which he is getting hit at a .333 clip as compared to just .156 at home.
Cesar Vargas struck out 4 and walked none over 2.2 IP in his last start.  He was relieved by Dan Camarena who allowed a run on 3 hits over 3.1 IP, walking none and striking out four.  The two pitchers shared the start after a rain out and an off day, and both remain on turn today.  On the year Vargas has struck out 26 and walked 9 in 27.1 IP and limited RH batters to a .164 average, while Camarena has struck out 20 and walked 6 overall, but is being hit at a .324 mark.

A couple of 10:30 AM local starts in today’s action.

A+: Brevard County Manatees (19-17) @ St. Lucie Mets (22-13) Listen
Tuesday 10:30 AM – RHP Drew Gagnon (3-2, 5.29) vs. RHP Matt Bowman (1-0, 4.50)

Drew Gagnon was the Brewers 3rd round pick in 2011. He spent half of 2012 in the FSL putting up a 2.83 ERA with 49 K and 18 BB over 67 IP in 11 starts. This year he’s struck out 38 and walked 13 over 34 IP in 7 starts.
Matt Bowman made his FSL debut a week ago going 6 IP allowing 3 runs on 6 hits (including his first homer allowed of 2013) 1 BB and 7 K. Combined with his 5 starts for Savannah Bowman has struck out 33 and walked 5 this year.

AAA: Albuquerque Isotopes (19-19) @ Las Vegas 51s (18-18) Listen
Tuesday 1:35 ET – RHP Angel Castro (2-2, 3.97) vs. RHP Chris Schwinden (2-3, 5.40)

Angel Castro is scheduled to make his 5th start after beginning the year in the pen. In his first two starts he allowed 1 run on 9 hits over 13 IP, but in his last two starts he’s been much more hittable 9 IP, 20 H, 11 runs (8 ER).
Chris Schwinden pitched into the 7th in his last start, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and a walk. He left the game with a 4-1 lead and two runners on, which wouldn’t hold up. Schwinden struck out none that day, and has 22 K/14 BB on the year.

Three Mets affiliates are opening a new series tonight.
Andrew Brown is on his way to Las Vegas because Rick Ankiel is a Met.  (Yes you read that correctly)

AA: Akron Aeros [CLE] (19-18) @ Binghamton Mets (19-18) Listen
Monday 6:35 ET – LHP Matt Packer (1-4, 3.72) vs. RHP Rafael Montero (3-3, 3.54)

Matt Packer‘s last start was his longest of the year. 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R (0 ER) 2 BB, 2 K. He’s struck out 18 and walked 16 while allowing 47 hits (.318) in 36.1 IP.  He has lost to the B-Mets twice, over 9 IP he has allowed 19 hits with 3 BB and 3 K in those two contests.
Akron has won four of their last five games, and both teams are 4 games out in their respective divisions.
Rafael Montero comes into this contest with 48 K and 6 BB in 40.2 IP this year. In his last start he threw 6.1 IP allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.  It was the third time this year he has struck out 8, and the sixth time he has struck out 6 or more.  Two of those 8 K outings have come against Akron, along with 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks over 10.2 IP in those two starts against the Aeros.

A+: Brevard County Manatees [MIL] (18-17) @ St. Lucie Mets (22-12) Listen
Monday 6:30 ET – LHP Jed Bradley (3-1, 3.04) vs. RHP Hansel Robles (3-1, 2.36)

Jed Bradley threw 6 shutout inning in his last start, 6 H, 4 BB, 7 K.  He’s walked 17 and struck out 25 on the year and has put up a 4.91 ERA in 4 road starts.
Brevard Co. batters are last in the FSL in hitting with a .230/.291/.359 slash, lead the league in strike outs (306) and are tied for last in walks with 84.  Their pitching is middle of the pack overall in the FSL, but they allow the second most walks while being second to the bottom in hits allowed. St. Lucie’s more patient hitters should do well in this series.
Hansel Robles makes his second start since returning from the DL.  Seven days ago he threw 6 innings allowing a run on 2 hits 0 BB/5 K pushing his season total to 6 BB/21 K.  Travis Taijeron leads the Mets with 18 walks and a .385 OBP.

A: Savannah Sand Gnats (21-13) @ Charleston RiverDogs [NYY] (18-15) Listen
Monday 7:05 ET – RHP Luis Cessa (2-2, 3.81) vs. LHP Dan Camarena (0-2, 8.14)

Luis Cessa has allowed 5 ER in each of his last two starts, raising his ERA from 1.01 to 3.81. He didn’t walk a batter in either of those starts and has totaled 26 K to 2 BB on the year. Right handed batters are hitting .337 against Cessa.
After struggling through five starts Dan Camarena‘s last appearance came out of the pen where he allowed a run on 3 hits over 3.1 IP, walking none and striking out four. He’s struck out 20 and walked 6 overall, but is being hit at a .324 mark.
Charleston is 2.5 games behind Savannah in the tightly bunched SAL Southern. They come in on a three game win streak.

AAA: Albuquerque Isotopes (18-19) @ Las Vegas 51s (18-17) Listen
Monday 10:05 ET – RHP Matt Palmer (0-1, 7.43) vs. RHP Carlos Torres (1-3, 7.39)

Matt Palmer allowed 7 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk over 4.1 IP in his last start in Tucson. He’s struck out 11 and walked 3 on the year, and had allowed 2 runs in each of his prior two starts.
Carlos Torres is allowing righties to hit .436 against him and while he has struck out 27 in 28 IP 10 of those K’s came in one game. His home ERA is 10.59 … go Montero?
After losing Greg Burke to the Mets the current Vegas relief group has pitched to an ERA of 6.23 and a whip of 1.84.  Choose wisely Wally… Josh Edgin has allowed multiple runs three times out of five appearances for Binghamton, so he would fit in well here.

Binghamton plays two to make up for yesterdays rain out.

AA: Harrisburg Senators (16-19) @ Binghamton Mets (18-17) Listen
Sunday 12:05 ET – RHP Taylor Jordan (2-1, 1.24 in Adv A) vs. LHP Mark Cohoon (3-0, 2.93)
Sunday Game Two – RHP Nate Karns (3-1, 3.03) vs. RHP Cory Mazzoni (0-1, 2.25)

Taylor Jordan makes his AA debut after just 6 starts for Advanced A Potomac in the Carolina League in which he struck out 29 and walked 6 while allowing batters a .228 average. The 24 year old had stalled in low A ball, spending the last three years between the NYPL and the SAL, before putting it together this year.
Nate Karns last start was a win in which he went 5 IP, allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks with 8 K. It was the third time he has struck out 8 or more, totaling 40 K (30%) and 14 BB (10.5%) in 32.2 IP. One of the Nationals top prospects, he struck out 32% and walked 10% of the batters he faced last year.

Mark Cohoon earned another start with 9 combined shutout innings in his first two starts of the year. He’s struck out 17 and walked 4 in 15.1 IP on the year, and 5 of the 7 runs counted against him came in one early relief appearance.
Cory Mazzoni returned from the DL six days ago and allowed 5 runs (2 ER) in 3 IP on 7 hits and 1 BB while striking out 2.
Darrell Ceciliani hit his third triple of the season Friday night.

A: Rome Braves (19-13) @ Savannah Sand Gnats (20-12) Listen
Sunday 2:05 ET – RHP Patrick Scroggin (2-3, 4.39) vs. RHP Matt Koch (1-1, 6.05)

Patrick Scroggin also faced Savannah twice to start the year. He allowed 6 runs (3 ER) on 9 hits and 3 walks over 7.2 IP while striking out 6. In his last start he allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 1 walk over 5 IP.
Matt Koch has not faced Rome yet this year.  Koch has put up a 3.56 ERA after his first start (6 ER in 1.2 IP) with a 1.02 whip on the strength of no walks and 13 strikeouts.

AAA: Albuquerque Isotopes (18-18) @ Las Vegas 51s (17-17) Listen
Sunday 3:05 ET – RHP Sean White (1-4, 4.80) vs. RHP Collin McHugh (2-2, 2.98)

Sean White has struck out 21 and walked 20 oveer 30 IP this year. In his last start he allowed 3 runs (2 ER) on 7 hits with 2 BB/2 K in 5.2 IP.
Collin McHugh threw 7 shutout IP in his last start, with 5 hits, 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts. The 1-0 lead would not hold that night, because 1 run leads for the 51s pen in never hold. The current group of relievers has combined for a 6.05 ERA and 1.83 whip through Friday night. If the Mets are looking for bullpen help, they won’t find any here.

A+: St. Lucie Mets (22-11) off

The Florida State League rests for Mothers Day.
Fort Myers was one of the few FSL teams to complete a game yesterday, and they lost to fall to 4.5 games ahead of St. Lucie.