BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Rhiner Cruz, the last of four Binghamton Mets relievers who combined to let the Sea Dogs back in the game, recovered from a wild start just in time to stop Portland 7-6 Monday night.

Cruz hit the first batter he faced and walked the next to force in a run before retiring the final three to end the first of five straight games between the teams with the worst two records in the Eastern League.

Binghamton scored seven runs in the bottom of the second and carried the seven-run lead into the sixth inning as Jeurys Familia struck out six while allowing just four hits in five scoreless innings.

While a raucous crowd of 5,995 — mostly made up of youngsters from nearby summer camps — sang and chanted through the late innings, the Sea Dogs worked their way back into the game.

“We put ourselves in a position and gave ourselves a chance,” Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles said. “I’m very proud of that.”

Will Middlebrooks led the way, reaching base all five times, going 3 for 3 with a pair of walks while scoring three times and driving in two.

The Sea Dogs scored once in the sixth off Jeffrey Caplin and three times in the seventh off Erik Turgeon. Josh Stinson calmed things with a scoreless eighth but got into immediate trouble to start the ninth.

Chih-Hsien Chiang blooped a ball into shallow center field for his second straight double. Middlebrooks singled in Chiang and took second when right fielder Raul Reyes misplayed the ball.

Tim Federowicz singled to right field to put runners on the corners and bring on Cruz.

Cruz’s first pitch was behind Reynaldo Rodriguez, hitting him to load the bases.

Oscar Tejada walked on five pitches to force in a run and pull Portland within a run.

Cruz continued to struggle but Vladimir Frias swung at 2-1 and 3-2 pitches that were way outside for the first of two straight strikeouts.

“We chased some pitches out of the zone,” Boles said.

The comeback and game ended when Jon Hee hit a high fly down the right-field line that Reyes had plenty of time to settle under. The Sea Dogs, just a half-game in front of the Mets, may have managed to set themselves up better for four games in the next three days, beginning with today’s doubleheader.

Chris Balcom-Miller (1-4) faced 12 hitters while giving up seven runs in the second, but Portland wound up needing just two pitchers, compared to the five the Mets used.

“We just finished a stretch where we’re coming off a doubleheader. That was clutch,” Boles said.

Both teams are likely to turn to the bullpen to find a starting pitcher for the second game of today’s doubleheader.

Boles said after Monday’s loss that he is still not sure who he will select.

 

NOTES: Before the game, left-handed reliever Cesar Cabral was brought off the temporarily inactive list. He fills the roster spot vacated when infielder Ryan Khoury was transferred to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox on Sunday.

 

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