Denier is Served: Lopez' Blast Puts Down Ponies
BINGHAMTON, NY - Denier Lopez hit a two-run 11th-inning home run, sending Portland past Binghamton, 8-7, in the final game of the 2018 regular season. The Eastern Division foes capped the regular season with their second eleven-inning contest in the last three days. The Rumble Ponies scored the game's first five runs, but only tallied one more run the rest of the game.
Both teams traded tenth-inning tallies, before Lopez' game-deciding blow in the eleventh. Bobby Dalbec's RBI single gave the Sea Dogs a brief 6-5 lead, before Joey Terdoslavich's sacrifice fly tied it in the bottom of the frame. Lopez led off the inning with Austin Rei on second and blasted Matt Pobereyko's pitch over the right field fence, pushing Portland in front 8-6.
The Rumble Ponies wouldn't go down without a fight, though. Jhoan Urena's singled put runners on the corners with no one out in the bottom of the eleventh for John Mora. Binghamton's left fielder hit a sacrifice fly, plating Mazeika to make it an 8-7 game. Gene Cone grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, ending the game and the 2018 season.
The Rumble Ponies scored the game's first five runs, before a six-run stint by the Sea Dogs. Cone singled in his first two Double-A RBI's in the second inning, part of a three-run frame for the Ponies. Already ahead 3-0 in the third, Will Toffey belted his fourth home run, a two-run shot over the right-field fence. Binghamton led 5-0 after three innings.
Jordan Betts was responsible for the first five Sea Dogs tallies. He tagged Justin Dunn for a two-run homer in the fourth inning and a three-run blast in the fifth, tying the game 5-5.
Dunn went five innings in his 15thEastern League start. He allowed five runs on eight hits with eight strikeotus and two walks.
Jake Cosart (2-2) got the win for Portland, tossing the final three innings of the contest.
Ryder Ryan (3-3) was hit with the loss - he allowed the two-run home run to Denier Lopez.
Binghamton (64-76) begins the 2019 regular season on April 4 at Northeast Delta Dental stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire.
POSTGAME NOTES: Binghamton misses the playoffs for the second time in the last six seasons…Rumble Ponies pitching struck out a season-high 17 batters…Lopez' home run was his second in 42 games this season…final seven meetings between Binghamton and Portland decided by three or fewer runs…