Flagg, Mets Edge BriSox 4-3 in Appy League

BRISTOL, Va. – With yet another right-center field blast against host Bristol, Kingsport cleanup hitter Jeff Flagg sure appears to enjoy hitting inside DeVault Stadium. Then again, Flagg sure appears to enjoy hitting anywhere in the Appalachian League this summer.

Already among the top hitters in a bevy of offensive categories, Flagg’s ninth-inning solo homer – which produced his league-leading 41st RBI – off Bristol reliever Brent DeFoor was the difference in Thursday’s tight 4-3 Kingsport victory.

The Mets’ first baseman, who now has seven homers, 47 hits, 31 runs and a .331 average, had also connected on a crucial three-run homer to right-center field during Tuesday’s 10-
6 decision over the BriSox. Against DeFoor in the final frame, Flagg picked on a 2-0 fastball and deposited it well over the two-tiered fence, ultimately giving Kingsport (15-23) its fifth straight victory.

“I don’t really hit those sidearm guys too well, but [DeFoor] got behind in the count and had to come to me with something,” Flagg said. “I took a good swing on it, and that’s all you can do.

“I guess I see the ball well here. I can’t complain.”

The Mets twice battled back from deficits against Bristol starter Freddy Garcia, who was making his second rehab start for Chicago in the border city. A two-run single from Mets’ third baseman Richard Lucas in the sixth tentatively gave Kingsport a 3-2 advantage.

“We saw him in spring training with the Mets a little bit … and he looked good tonight,” Kingsport manager Mike DiFelice said about Garcia’s performance. “He was keeping his breaking balls down, especially against young hitters who are aggressive. I thought we made nice adjustments and battled him well.”

Following Flagg’s round-tripper, BriSox third baseman Jeffer Patino reached on a one-out single in the bottom half of the ninth against Kingsport reliever Travis Babin. Babin, however, got both Leighton Pangilinan and Ryan Lee in succession to record his fourth save – aided in large part by a diving grab from Ronald Harris on Pangilinan’s sinking liner to left field.

Patino – who gave Bristol (15-24) a 2-1 lead in the fifth on his long homer to right – reached base on all four plate appearances, finishing 2-for-2 with two walks.

“Patino has hit left-handers well all season,” Bristol manager Ryan Newman said of Patino’s work against Mets’ starter Angel Cuan. “He’s hitting over .400 against lefties this year. It helps him stay on the ball, and he’s a guy who has a good idea at the plate. He competes every time.”

Making the first appearance of his professional career, Bristol’s Trayce Thompson – who went 1-for-3 with a walk – evened things at 3-3 in the sixth by legging out a two-out infield single to score teammate Miguel Gonzalez.

SOX NOTES: Garcia, who faced the minimum through the first four innings, was again efficient. He needed just 66 pitches to complete six innings. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits while striking out five. … Joseph Bonfe also had two hits for the Mets, who moved ahead of Bristol by a half-game for fourth and are now tied with Greeneville (16-24) for third in the West Division. … The Sox will return home August 13 for a three-game series against Elizabethton.