Ponies Take Two from Yard Goats

GM 1 Final: Binghamton 6, Hartford 2

WP: Junior Santos (1-3)

LP: Mike Ruff (0-1)

S: none

GM 2 Final: Binghamton 2, Hartford 0

WP: Alex Valverde (1-0)

LP: Blake Goldsberry (0-1)

S: Daison Acosta (1)

Binghamton, NY- The Binghamton Rumble Ponies took both games of a doubleheader against the Hartford Yard Goats on Wednesday evening, winning 6-2 and 2-0. In the opener, Junior Santos worked six solid innings and was backed with six runs on nine hits as the Mets affiliate ended a five-game losing streak. In game two, Alex Valverde retired 15 of the first 16 batters with five strikeouts and allowed just one hit in 5.1 scoreless innings for his first victory. Bladimir Restituyo extended his hit-streak to 16 games with a double in game one. However, the outfielder went 0-3 in the second game to end the longest current streak in the Eastern League.

The Yard Goats began the day with a 1-0 lead on Kyle Datres’ solo home run in the second inning off Binghamton starter Junior Santos. The Ponies tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly. Binghamton took a 2-1 lead on Matt Rudick’s solo home run in the third inning off Hartford starting pitcher Mike Ruff. The Yard Goats tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth inning on three hits, including a two-out RBI double from Drew Romo. But, Hayden Singer cranked a two-run homer in the fourth inning to break the tie and give Binghamton a 4-2 lead. The Ponies added an additional two runs in the sixth to snap a season-high five game skid.

In game two, Binghamton right-hander Alex Valverde was outstanding and retired 14 consecutive batters from the first through fifth innings. The allowed only two baserunners, a first inning single to Kyle Dates, and a leadoff walk in the sixth to Niko Decolati. The Rumble Ponies scored their first run on Tanner Murphy’s RBI double in the second off Yard Goats starter Blake Goldsberry. Binghamton added a second run on a two out double by Jose Peroza in the third inning.

The Yard Goats threatened in the final inning with two on base and two out but Daison Acosta retired Ronaiker Palma to end the game.

The Yard Goats and Rumble Ponies will play the fourth of a seven game series on Thursday night at 6:05 PM at Mirabito Stadium in New York. RHP Andrew Quezada will start for the Yard Goats and Mike Vasil will pitch for Binghamton. The game can be heard on AM 1410 WPOP, FM 100.9 and the iheart radio app. The Yard Goats return home to Dunkin’ Park on Tuesday (7:10 PM), and host the Boston Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs. It is Portland’s only visit to Hartford this season (Tuesday-Sunday).