Published: July 24, 2008 11:47 pm            

Princeton falls to Mets in 11

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Gabriel Zavala’s single in the bottom of the 11th inning led the Kingsport Mets to a 4-3 Appalachian League win over the Princeton Rays on Thursday night at Hunter Wright Stadium.

Princeton (14-18) led 2-0, fell behind 3-2 and then added a run in the seventh.

Douglas McNulty led off Kingsport’s half of the 11th with a double. Pinch-runner Imbewer Alvarez moved to third on a balk and scored on Zavala’s base hit to left field.

Brian Bryles and Tim Beckham had two hits apiece for Princeton’s six-attack. Michael Jarman, the Rays’ third pitcher, took the loss to drop to 2-1 on the season.

Four different Mets had two hits, including a double and single by Dock Doyle and Seth Williams. Stephen Puhl, who pitched three innings of hitless baseball in relief, picked up the win to improve to 3-0.

Princeton took a 1-0 lead in the first when Bryles led off with a single, swiped second and scored on Beckham’s double to right field. The Rays built the advantage to two in the fifth when Dustin Biell singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on another single by Bryles.

Kingsport (20-16) scored an unearned run in the fifth when McNulty walked, moved to third on a Burt Reynolds throwing error and scored on a double play ball.

Brian Flores pitched well in his ‘08 debut with the Rays, allowing just three hits and an unearned run in five innings, while striking out three.

However, Kingsport welcomed Kyle Ayers in rude fashion, with Doyle doubling and scoring on a Wilmer Flores single. Seth Williams then doubled to bring in Flores for the 3-2 lead.

Princeton added a run in the seventh on a D.J. Jones walked and was replaced on the bases by normal pitcher Kevin Chavez. He moved up a pair of bases on ground balls and scored on a Manuel Alvarez wild pitch. Chavez finished the game in center field for the Rays.

Neither team scored again until the Mets won in the 11th.

These teams will meet again tonight at 7 p.m. Princeton will be on the road until returning to Hunnicutt Field on Aug. 2 to face the Bluefield Orioles.



at Hunter Wright Stadium

Princeton........100 010 100 00 — 3 6 2

Kingsport........000 012 000 01 — 4 13 1

Brian Flores, Kyle Ayers (6), Michael Jarman (9) and Mayo Acosta. John Holdzkom, Manuel Alvarez (7), Stephen Puhl (9) and Dock Doyle. W—Stephen Puhl (3-0); L—Michael Jarman (2-1). HR—none. Att—1,411.

        

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