Norfolk Tides
Triple-A International League
The Tides had their first off day of the season Wednesday, following a 2-1 loss to Rochester on Tuesday.
Norfolk is back in action Thursday evening in Columbus, opening a four-game series with the Clippers. The Tides enter Thursday's game with a 7-20 record, which is the worst in the International League.
Binghamton Mets
Double-A Eastern League
Evan MacLane allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings, including a home run to Jonathan Van Every, as the Akron Aeros downed Binghamton Wednesday, 5-3.
Binghamton put up three runs in the third inning against Akron starter Adam Miller, but was held scoreless the rest of the way by Miller and three relievers. Jay Caligiuri's run-scoring double highlighted the frame.
Notes: Andy Wilson, Michel Abreu and Caligiuri had two hits each for Binghamton. … Maldonado Oquendo gave Binghamton two scoreless innings of relief. … MacLane struck out six and walked none.
St. Lucie Mets
Single-A Florida State League
St. Lucie had the day off Wednesday after Tuesday's 4-3 victory over Palm Beach. The Mets are back in action Thursday morning at Palm Beach.
Tuesday's win improved St. Lucie's record to 16-9, moving them into a first-place tie with Palm Beach atop the Florida State League's East division.
Hagerstown Suns
Single-A South Atlantic League
Fernando Martinez homered and Jose Castro drove in three runs as the Hagerstown Suns rolled to a 10-3 victory at Lake County Wednesday.
The offensive support made a winner of left-hander Jonathon Niese, who improved to 4-0 on the season. Niese allowed three runs and three hits in five innings, walking four and striking out four.
Martinez's home run, his second, was a two-run shot in the fourth inning off Lake County starter Frank Herrmann, who allowed six runs in three innings.
Notes: Martinez, Jonathan Sanchez and Leivi Ventura had three hits for Hagerstown, while Castro and Jonel Pacheco had two hits. … Kevin Tomasiewicz and German Marte combined to blank Lake County in relief. ... The Suns scored in seven of nine innings.
On Deck
Thursday, May 4, 2006 – All Times E.T.
MLB: Pittsburgh at New York, 7:10 p.m.
AAA: Norfolk at Columbus, 7:05 p.m.
AA: Binghamton at Akron, 10:35 a.m.
A: St. Lucie at Palm Beach, 7:05 p.m.
A: Hagerstown at Lake County, 7:05 p.m.
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