BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies plated three runs in the first inning and held on to beat the Harrisburg Senators, 3-2, in a game shortened to six innings by rain on Friday night at FNB Field. Major League rehabber Tommy Milone, a former Senator, tossed 4-2/3 innings without issue. Juan Lagares went 1-for-3 at the plate and played five defensive innings in center.

Binghamton filled the bases four batters into the game and plated the game’s first run on a passed ball by Raudy Read. Kevin Kaczmarski tacked on by ripping a two-out, two-run double over Yadiel Hernandez’s head in right to cap the big inning.

Milone made his first appearance in Harrisburg since his All-Star season with the Senators in 2010. He surrendered a two-run homer to Yadiel Hernandez in the second, but suffered no further despite allowing two more hits in the inning. The southpaw stranded two to preserve the lead and left three more aboard in his next two innings. He notched a pair of outs in the fifth before ceding to Drew Smith for the last putout.

In the bottom of the sixth, Smith threw one pitch before crew chief Ryan Benson requested the tarp be preemptively placed on the field. Within minutes torrential rain pummeled the field. After a 37-minute wait, the game was official called.

Smith (1-1) threw just three pitches to claim his first victory as a Rumble Pony. Milone allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out three over 4-2/3 innings.

Ross (2-2) settled down after his rocky first inning, but still suffered the loss.

The Rumble Ponies (62-46) continue their weekend series in Harrisburg on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. RHP Marcos Molina takes the hill against LHP Matthew Crownover. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 5:45 p.m. on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES: Tommy Milone went 12-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 27 starts with the Senators in 2010…Binghamton improved to 6-1 in their last seven series openers…Friday’s game marked Binghamton’s first rain-shortened game of the season

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