With runners on first and second with no outs in the ninth, and the Portland Sea Dogs down by a run, a bunt might have been called for.
But Mookie Betts was coming to bat. No bunt sign from manager Billy McMillon.
“He didn’t give me one so I swung away,” said Betts. He drilled an outside fastball to the right field corner for a two-run walk-off triple, in a 6-5 Sea Dogs win over the Binghamton Mets on Thursday night at Hadlock Field.
Betts had already walked four times in the game, and his triple gives him a .371 batting average. His on-base percentage is .454.
“Figured he would get a good at-bat,” McMillon said.
With Portland down 5-4, Peter Hissey led off the ninth with a walk. Shannon Wilkerson bunted past pitcher Cody Satterwhite (2-1) for a single. Then Betts finished it.
Earlier Travis Shaw hit a three-run homer, his team-leading 10th. Henry Ramos went 3-for-4.
Reliever Aaron Kurcz (1-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win. Starter Mickey Pena began with five scoreless innings, before giving up two apiece in the sixth and seventh.
Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.com
Twitter: ClearTheBases
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