E-Rod Shines Again as 'Wolves Beat Ponies

Erie pulled away late on Tuesday night to take their series opener with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. After both sides went scoreless for the first five innings, the SeaWolves came ahead with a 3-2 win.

Binghamton received a quality start from starter Adam Oller. In the first five innings, the right-hander only allowed two base hits and two walks while striking out seven. Erie collected lead off base hits in the second and fifth innings, but still couldn’t score. Erie finally found success in the sixth inning with another leadoff base hit. Ryan Kreidler opened the frame with a single and a stolen base before coming home to score on a bunt single from Jacob Robson coupled with an error from the starting pitcher. Oller still managed to work through six innings, the longest start Erie has seen this season.

Erie took advantage of another error after the stretch. Following a single by John Valente and a walk drawn by Kona Quiggle, Riley Greene grounded a potential double play ball to second base. Binghamton shortstop Manny Rodriguez sailed the throw to first base high, allowing Valente to score the go-ahead run.

The offense later powered themselves to pad the lead in the eighth inning behind Robson and Josh Lester. Robson opened the frame with a single and stolen base before Lester doubled to the right field corner for Erie’s third run.

Elvin Rodriguez continued the near perfect start to his Double-A career for Erie. Rodriguez spun 5.1 hitless innings after tossing five perfect frames in his previous start. The 23-year-old has pitched 14.1 scoreless innings to start the season for Erie.

Just as they did against the Akron RubberDucks, the Erie bullpen maintained Rodriguez’s no-hitter through the sixth inning, but lost it in the seventh. Binghamton finally broke through against Henry Martinez when Wagner Lagrange slapped a double to center field to lead off the frame, and later scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Martinez was able to strand a go-ahead run at third base, while Angel De Jesus carried the torch in the eighth inning.

Gerson Moreno climbed the hill to try and collect another save, but failed to find enough of his command. Binghamton knocked two hits, drew a walk, and benefited from two wild pitches to score one run and put two more in scoring position. Jack Kenley and Jon Rosoff combined to retire one of the runners at home plate on a split-second grounder. Moreno stranded the tying a run a third with a strikeout, earning his second save in as many games.

Erie is now 9-4 on the season, while Binghamton continues to tumble. The Rumble Ponies fall to 1-11 on the year. The two sides meet again on Wednesday at 6:05. Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the SeaWolves’ “No Hitter Happy Hour” promotion that night. During the game, fans can purchase Bud Light at the Bud Light Party Deck in right field for only $2 until Binghamton gets their first hit.