Runs Hard To Come By In Middletown Mets’ 1-0 Victory Over Vernon Orioles
Pitching took center stage Friday night as the Middletown Mets edged out the Vernon Orioles 1-0 in a tightly contested matchup where every pitch mattered. Both starting pitchers delivered strong performances, but it was the Mets who capitalized on their lone scoring opportunity to secure the win.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the third inning. With a runner on second, Will Kleinhenz came through with a clutch double to left, driving in the game’s only run. The RBI was just enough to back a dominant effort on the mound by the Middletown staff.
Hunter Espinosa set the tone early, tossing four no-hit innings while striking out three and working around a pair of walks. His poise and command helped silence Vernon’s offense and earned him the win. Justin Marks came on in relief and nailed down the save, preserving the combined shutout.
Jason Ray was a tough-luck loser for the Orioles. The right-hander was sharp across six innings, allowing just three hits and no earned runs. He struck out eight while walking two, keeping his team within striking distance all night.
Offensively, Kleinhenz led the way for the Mets, finishing 1-for-3 with the game’s only RBI. Nicholas Flammia and Ron Losacano also chipped in with hits as Middletown managed three total against Ray. Defensively, Vernon turned a key double play to limit further damage, but their offense couldn’t find an answer.
With the win, the Middletown Mets continue to build momentum and will look to stay hot when they return home on Monday to face the Record-Journal Expos.
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