BINGHAMTON – Tim Tebow’s game-tying three-run home run helped spark a series-opening come-from-behind victory, 6-5, Monday night at NYSEG Stadium. The Rumble Ponies scored six of the game’s final seven runs for their second four-run comeback in the last week. Binghamton’s fourth straight win gives them six victories in seven tries against Erie this season.
Trailing 4-0 entering the bottom of the third, the Ponies would plate a pair to start their comeback victory. After John Mora’s one out single, Levi Michael reached on SeaWolves starter Kyle Funkhouser’s error. With two aboard, Jeff McNeil slashed a double down the left field line to get Binghamton on the board. His league leading 21st extra-base hit plated Mora, making it 4-1. Peter Alonso followed by hitting a hard groundball to third, which was booted by A.J. Simcox. The hot corner blunder allowed Michael to score, cutting the deficit in half, 4-2.
The deficit grew to 5-2, though, in the fifth inning. In what would be Mickey Jannis’ final frame, the fifth featured a solo blast by Erie catcher Jake Rogers, his first of the 2018 season.
Jannis tossed five innings, allowed five runs (three earned), with four strikeouts and two walks. He’s gone at least five innings in all five Eastern League starts this season.
Funkhouser, meanwhile, also lasted five innings, despite giving up just one earned run. The right-hander struck out seven, while walking two. He’s tossed at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs in all three of his starts against Binghamton this season.
Tim Tebow’s sixth-inning three-run blast pushed Binghamton into a 5-5 tie with Erie. His fourth long ball of the season was his third three-run homer and only hit in Monday’s win.
Kevin Taylor pushed home the game-winning run in the seventh inning. Alonso drew a one-out walk and was moved the second base on Patrick Mazeika’s groundout. SeaWolves Manager Andrew Graham made the move to reliever Matt Hall, who was greeted by Taylor’s single up the middle, giving Binghamton their first lead.
A trio of Rumble Ponies relievers kept the SeaWolves at bay, limiting Erie to just two hits over the final four innings. Daniel Zamora, Josh Torres, and Tyler Bashlor combined to strike out seven and issue one walk.
Torres (3-0) dealt 1-1/3 innings for the victory, while Bashlor garnered his team-leading sixth save of the season.
Zac Houston (0-1) allowed just one run in his 1-1/3 frames of work, but it was the winning run.
Binghamton (18-17) continues their three-game series with Erie on Tuesday evening. RHP Joseph Shaw tosses for the Ponies against SeaWolves LHP Tyler Alexander with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at NYSEG Stadium. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pregame show starts at 6:20 p.m. and can be heard on NewsRadio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Mickey Jannis appeared in his 100th Minor League game…Jeff McNeil’s RBI double extended his hitting streak to a team-best 13 games…Kevin Taylor’s game-winning single extended his hitting streak to nine games…Rumble Ponies are 4-1 in Jannis starts…