Barnes, Wilson Propel Ponies to Take 4 of 5 in Portland
Portland, ME - The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (12-14, 47-43) took four of five games in their first series after the all-star break with a 3-1 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (10-14, 37-54) Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. Barrett Barnes two-run homer in the first inning proved to be enough as the Ponies have now won seven of their last nine.
With two out and Sam Haggerty off second, Barnes hit a 390-foot blast to left-centerfield. It's his team-leading 11th home run of the year and second of the series, as he also bolstered his RBI total to 47.
Tommy Wilson (2-4) was dominant in his first start since June 25th as he allowed just two hits over six scoreless frames on just 73 pitches. Wilson at one point retired 14 in a row and set down 15 of the last 16 he faced. Joe Zanghi also pitched two scoreless innings of relief.
Eric Hanhold loaded the bases and allowed a run in the ninth, but with the tying runs on base got Luke Tendler to ground out to second to earn his first save of the year.
Gavin Cecchini added a two-out RBI single with two on and two out in the ninth driving home Ali Sanchez. Cecchini is now on a six-game hitting streak and finished with three RBI for the series.
The Rumble Ponies return home to face the Reading Fightin Phils for the first time this season on Monday night. First pitch is at 6:35PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pregame show begins at 6:20PM.
POSTGAME NOTES: The Rumble Ponies finish the year 8-3 at Hadlock Field…Binghamton now leads the season-series 9-8…the two teams play five more times at NYSEG Stadium from August 26-29…the Ponies had seven hits from seven different players.