Reading 4, Binghamton 2

Brahiam Maldonado bounced into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded and the B-Mets watched their six-game winning streak come to an end in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Reading Phillies tonight at NYSEG Stadium.



Reading drew first blood against starter Tobi Stoner. Derrick Mitchell led off the second inning with a double to left. Stoner wiggled out of harm for two more outs before opposing pitcher J.C. Ramirez lined an RBI single to right. The next batter, Michael Spidale, made it 3-0 by launching a two-run shot to left field.

The B-Mets had at least one baserunner in each of the first four innings, but could not break through against Ramirez, who escaped a bases-loaded situation in the fourth by inducing Stoner to fly out to end the inning.



Reading added to their lead in the fifth. Stoner got the first two outs before walking Brent Clevlen. Matt Rizzotti made the righty pay for the free-pass by doubling to right to kick the lead to four. Ricky Brooks replaced Stoner later in the inning and left the bases loaded by inducing Steve Singleton to bounce out to first.



Ramirez finished strong in his final regular season start of the year. The righty retired eight straight before walking Niuman Romero with one out in the seventh. After pinch-hitter Eric Campbell popped out to third, manager Mark Parent brought in Jacob Deikman to strike out Matt den Dekker and end the inning.

Brooks kept the R-Phils off the board for two more innings before giving way to Edgar Ramirez for the eighth. Returning from a 27-game stay on the disabled list, Ramirez worked around a one-out single to put up a scoreless frame.



Binghamton finally got on the board in the eighth. Juan Lagares led off with a double to center and scored three batters later on Allan Dykstra’s single up the middle. Deikman watched his night come to an end when he walked Mike Fisher. Justin Friend entered and struck out Dusty Ryan to end the threat.

After Roy Merritt made his return from the disabled list and fired a scoreless ninth, the B-Mets started a rally. Friend walked lead-off hitter Romero and gave up a single to pinch-hitter Kai Gronauer. He got den Dekker to look at strike three, but Lagares lined an RBI double to center to cut the deficit to two.

With two runners on, Les Walrond got the call from the pen and walked Reese Havens to load the bases. The rally came to an abrupt end a batter later when Maldonado’s sharp ground ball to short was converted into a game-ending twin-killing.

J.C. Ramirez earned his eleventh win of the year. The right-hander gave up three hits and struck out six over 6.2 shutout innings. Tobi Stoner suffered his fifth loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings of work. Les Walrond picked up his second save.