BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Mets blew a four-run lead and fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 12-11, on Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium. Josh Rodriguez drove in a career-high seven runs, highlighted by a grand slam in the 11th inning, but it was not enough to overcome New Hampshire's nine-run attack against the B-Mets bullpen. The loss snapped the B-Mets six game winning streak.


Binghamton took a 7-3 lead to the eighth inning before the bullpen allowed nine unanswered runs over the next four frames. They were the first earned runs allowed by the pen in 22 innings pitched. Jake Keubler surrendered three eighth inning runs before the Fisher Cats hung a five spot on Beck Wheeler in the 11th inning. It was Binghamton's first blown save in nine games.


The B-Mets stroked 16 hits, their most in 15 games, and scored a season-high 11 runs offensively. Josh Rodriguez hit two home runs, including an 11th inning grand slam, and drove in seven. The seven RBI are a career-high for Rodriguez, who became the first B-Met to homer twice in a game this season.


Binghamton scored the first four runs of the game, including two off the bat of Jared King on another two-out base hit in the second inning.


A Michael Fulmer throwing error helped New Hampshire get on the board in the fifth, as they climbed within one run on a Matt Newman two-run homer to right field.


Binghamton would get a run back in the fifth inning on Rodriguez's first RBI of the day. He later doubled the lead with his first home run of the afternoon, a two run shot to right field.


Leading 7-3 after seven innings, Adam Kolarek gave way to Kuebler who proceeded to allow five of seven batters to reach base. New Hampshire crossed home three times against the reliever, cutting the deficit to one run. Kuebler has allowed eight runs in 1.2 innings pitched against New Hampshire.


The Fisher Cats would tie things up in the ninth on an Emilio Guerrero sacrifice fly to left field against Beck Wheeler, his first blown save of the year. New Hampshire later took the lead on another Guerrero sacrifice fly in the 11th, before a three run homer to right field off the bat of Jack Murphy. The Fisher Cats later tacked on a fifth run in the inning against Wheeler.


The B-Mets wouldn't go down without a fight, as they loaded up the bases with a walk, base hit and hit batter, against Cory Burns. Rodriguez then got Binghamton within one, on the B-Mets second grand slam of the season, this one to left field. Burns induced a pop up from Aderlin Rodriguez one batter later to hold off the B-Mets, 12-11.


Wheeler (1-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing five runs in 2.2 innings pitched. Blake McFarland (2-0) got the win for New Hampshire, tossing two perfect frames.


Binghamton won the series, taking two out of three from the Fisher Cats.


The B-Mets (14-8) continue their homestand as they welcome in the Portland Sea Dogs for four games beginning Monday night at NYSEG Stadium, with a 6:35 PM first pitch. Binghamton RHP John Gant (1-1, 3.86) gets the ball against RHP Mike Augliera (0-4, 8.00).


(Courtesy: Binghamton Mets Baseball)