Decker Slams Gavel on Senate Hearing, 10-6
HARRISBURG, PA - Cody Decker blasted a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth inning to guide the Binghamton Rumble Ponies past the Harrisburg Senators, 10-6, on Friday night at FNB Field. The Ponies blew a five-run lead before Decker supplied his team-leading sixth home run of the season.
Decker delivered his game-sealing blow against reliever RC Orlan, his teammate from Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic. With two outs, the Rumble Ponies first baseman launched the southpaw's 2-0 offering over the left-field wall to put Binghamton on top for good.
The blast helped the Rumble Ponies avenge Harrisburg's six-run flourish in the fifth. The Senators combined a misplay from Decker with a throwing error by LJ Mazzilli, two hit batters, and four hits to erase a five-run deficit. Mario Lisson ripped a three-run double to the left-field alley against Corey Taylor to put Harrisburg ahead.
Binghamton recovered from the rocky inning and evened the game in the seventh when David Thompson legged out a potential inning-ending double play to bring in the tying run.
Harrisburg's rally in the fifth erased Binghamton's early five-run lead. Senators starter Derek Eitel issued a pair of bases-loaded walks in the second to put the Ponies on the board. In the fourth, Colton Plaia ripped a two-run double to left-center before Luis Guillorme threaded an RBI double down the right-field line.
Luis Mateo (1-0) struck out five over two scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win. Tim Peterson worked a scoreless ninth to seal Binghamton's league leading 20th road win of the season.
The Rumble Ponies (33-22) continue their three-game visit to Harrisburg on Saturday at 6:00 PM. LHP PJ Conlon takes the mound against LHP Matthew Crownover. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 5:45 PM on News Radio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Cody Decker's grand slam was Binghamton's second of the season (Jio Mier, 5/7 @ New Hampshire)…Binghamton reached double-digits in runs for the third time…Mickey Jannis struck out five over 4-2/3 innings in the no-decision
Tickets for Binghamton's entire home schedule can be purchased at the NYSEG Stadium box office, online on www.bingrp.com and over the phone at (607) 722-FUNN.