MANCHESTER, NH – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies had 21 at-bats with runners in scoring position, but were held to a trio of runs and stranded a dozen runners in a 5-3 loss to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Richard Urena belted a two-run tiebreaking homer in the fifth and sent the Ponies to a series split.

Binghamton opened the game hitless in their first 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position before finding a groove against Conner Greene in the fifth. Starting with LJ Mazzilli’s flare to left, the Ponies strung together three straight two-out RBI singles to erase New Hampshire’s two-run lead. Tomas Nido tied the game with a bloop to right and Gustavo Nunez pushed Binghamton ahead with a shot to left.

The Fisher Cats struck back in the fifth. Jonathan Davis yanked a double down the left-field line, plating Derrick Loveless from first base to tie the game. Urena followed by sending Mickey Jannis’ 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall. His third home run of the season gave New Hampshire a two-run lead.

The Ponies’ roll in the fifth proved to be their only productive offensive clip of the afternoon. Reliever Alonzo Gonzalez blanked Binghamton in the sixth and seventh before Daniel Young stranded two runners in a shutout eighth. Andrew Case stepped around David Thompson’s single in the ninth to earn his second save.

Jannis (5-3) allowed five runs on five hits over five innings in the loss, his fourth career defeat in as many starts at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. He walked five and allowed two home runs, surrendering a two-run shot to Gunnar Heidt in the fourth before allowing Urena’s drive.

Greene (4-5) surrendered three runs on seven hits over five innings to earn the victory, the third of his career against Binghamton.

The Rumble Ponies (39-31) open a four-game series against the Hartford Yard Goats on Monday night at 7:05 PM at Dunkin Donuts Park. LHP PJ Conlon takes the hill against RHP Parker French. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 6:50 PM on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES: The Rumble Ponies went 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position…David Thompson extended his hitting streak to a season-best nine games with a single in the ninth…Kelly Secrest and Luis Mateo combined for three scoreless innings of relief

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.

 

– Submitted