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Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Antonini Deals, But B-Mets Drop 4-3 Finale with Trenton

June 20, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release


Mike Antonini tied a season-best with seven, strong innings and left with a 3-2 lead, but the bullpen could not hold it as Trenton salvaged the finale of the series 4-3 at NYSEG Stadium Sunday afternoon. Antonini permitted a pair of runs on four hits and struck out six in the no-decision.

Binghamton (34-35) jumped out to an early lead against Trenton ace right-hander David Phelps in the first inning. Luis Hernandez led off with a clean single to center, stole second and moved to third on a deep flyout to left. With one out, Nick Evans broke his bat on a slow roller to third, allowing Hernandez to tally, pitting the B-Mets a 1-0 advantage.

Trenton (41-26) tied the game instantaneously. Brandon Laird led off the second and ripped an Antonini offering over the wall in dead center for his Eastern League-leading 16th homer.

Sean Ratliff exacted revenge in the third with his first Double-A jack, a solo blast off the right-field videoboard to put Binghamton back in front 2-1. It was just the second homer allowed by Phelps this season.

The lead was extended to two when Mike Nickeas dropped a bloop single in front of rightfielder Edwar Gonzalez with two outs in the fourth, plating Eric Campbell.

The Thunder responded in the next half inning with a brief hitting outburst. Marcos Vechionacci led off the fifth with a single to right. Gonzalez joined him on base with a similar blooper. With runners at the corners, Luis Nunez lofted a routine flyball into shallow right, but second baseman Josh Satin and rightfielder D.J. Wabick failed to communicate, allowing the ball to drop and Vechionacci to score, moving the Thunder within a run, 3-2.

Derrick Ellison replaced Antonini to start the eighth and proceeded to walk the leadoff hitter Justin Snyder. Two batters later, Ellison hung a curveball to Austin Krum, which the designated hitter deposited over the right-field wall to vault Trenton into the lead, 4-3.

Timothy Norton, who had tossed a perfect seventh, worked the eighth in similar fashion, scattering a hit to send the game into the ninth. He would later be named the winner.

Grant Duff, who took the loss in Saturday's walk-off win, came out in the ninth to shut the door. However, Binghamton battled, getting the leadoff man on, Mike Nickeas, with a walk. After Josh Satin grounded out, Brahiam Maldonado beat the rap on a would-be double play to extend the game. Maldonado stole second to get into scoring position, but Luis Hernandez flied out to center ending the game. Duff was credited with his seventh save in eight chances.

Phelps set a season-high with 10 strikeouts in the start. Thunder hurlers managed 15 strikeouts, the most recorded against Binghamton this season.

Despite losing the finale, the B-Mets took two of three from Trenton for their second straight series win. After a scheduled off-day Monday, Binghamton will open up a fresh three-game series Tuesday at 6:35 PM with the New Britain Rock Cats. Binghamton will send RHP Josh Stinson (4-1, 2.66) to the hill and the Double-A Twins will counter with LHP Tyler Robertson (0-6, 4.80). The radio broadcast on Newsradio 1290 WNBF begins at 6:20 PM with the Horizons Federal Credit Union Pre-Game Show.

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