SeaWolves fall despite Suarez breaking out of Slump

Ryan Smith

SeaWolves shortstop Eugenio Suarez returned to the lineup after sitting out the comeback win against Binghamton last night. He had hit two for 12 and struck out six times in his last three outings, but broke out of his slump on August 11, hitting three for four and scoring the Howlers' lone run. Defensively, the Iron Man of the Game had four assists in a 6 to 1 loss to split this weekend's series against the Binghamton Mets.

A leadoff double against Mets left-handed pitcher Mark Cohoon (7-3, 4.23) put Suarez in scoring position to start the game. His first and only run was scored in the first when designated hitter Ramon Cabrera grounded out to second, earning an RBI. The Mets took the lead in the third when left fielder Cory Vaughn homered off of SeaWolves left-handed pitcher Ramon Garcia (0-2, 5.32). The long ball to left also scored second baseman Daniel Muno. After three, the Howlers were down 2-1.

Several quiet innings passed as Garcia and Cohoon showcased their pitching abilities as well as mental strength on the mound. However, Mets right fielder Travis Taijeron broke the silence in the sixth with a solo home run to left. In the bottom of the inning, the bases were loaded for SeaWolves third baseman Wade Gaynor with two outs on the board. Gaynor failed to answer the call, as he grounded out to strand three runners. Heading into the seventh, the SeaWolves were down 3-1.

Garcia left the mound one third of the way through the seventh and was replaced by right-handed pitcher Justin Souza. Garcia allowed three runs and six hits through six and one third innings. He also walked one and struck out five. Catcher Xorge Carrillo scored off of a double from third baseman Josh Rodriguez. Vaughn singled to score Muno and Rodriguez, further building the Mets' lead. Another inning of poor offense left the SeaWolves down 6-1 heading into the eighth.

Lefty Ryan Robowski came to the hill in the ninth and did his job, but the run deficit was simply too great to overcome. The sixth three up three down inning of Erie's day put them out of their misery, with Garcia losing the game for Erie. Cohoon won it, and lefty Adam Kolarek earned the easy save.

The Howlers hit the road for a three-game series at the Bowie Baysox from Tuesday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 15. They return home for a seven-game home stretch against the Altoona Curve followed by the Akron Aeros. The first game against Altoona is on Friday, Aug. 16 at 7:05 p.m.

The series split leaves Erie a half-game back in the western division at 63-56, while Binghamton virtually has the eastern division locked up at 75-46.

Adam Unger can be contacted at aUnger@ErieReader.com.