EL1 Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Antonini's Quality Start Not Enough, B-Mets Fall 3-2

Published on May 24, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release


Mike Antonini avoided losing his third straight game by tossing six innings of two-run work, but Binghamton could not dodge Richmond, which put up a 3-2 win at NYSEG Stadium Monday night. Antonini failed to walk a batter for the third straight outing and struck out a season-high seven men, but took a no-decision. The B-Mets have now lost 11 of their past 12 games.

The Flying Squirrels dealt the decisive blow in the eighth inning. Josh Stinson, who already had a scoreless inning of relief under his belt, matched up with Brandon Crawford to open the stanza. Crawford connected on an elevated 2-1 offspeed pitch from the righty and sent it over the wall in left, vaulting Richmond into the lead 3-2. It was Crawford's team-leading, fifth homer of the season. Stinson was charged with the loss.

Jake Stevens was credited with the win. The southpaw worked 1 2/3 innings and exited with the tying run at second in the eighth. Flying Squirrels' manager Andy Skeels turned to stopper Rafael Cova to bail Stevens out. After walking Mike Nickeas, Cova got Carlos Guzman to flyout to left ending the threat.

In the ninth, Binghamton (20-23) got the leadoff man on thanks to an Eric Campbell single to left. Jose Coronado sacrificed him up to second to put the tying run into scoring position. But Cova buckled down and struck out Brahiam Maldonado and Kirk Nieuwenhuis to close out the game for his ninth save in as many chances.

Richmond (25-19) opened the scoring in the first when Thomas Neal laced his third homer of the season off Antonini, a towering shot over the wall in left-center.

The Flying Squirrels added to their lead in the sixth courtesy of a sac fly from Juan Ciriaco, plating Neal.

The B-Mets responded in the sixth with a two-out rally against starter David Mixon. He issued a walk to Luis Hernandez with one out. After the righty struck out Nick Evans, Marshall Hubbard lined a single through the right side, advancing Hernandez to third. With runners at the corners and two outs, Mike Nickeas lined a hanging slider into left to score Hernandez. Carlos Guzman also capitalized on a Mixon hanger with a screaming liner into right-center, scoring Hubbard to tie the game at two.

Mixon worked 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs, while walking a season-high three men, but did not factor in the decision.

Binghamton was held to just six hits. Hernandez reached base three times with a single, a walk and a hit by pitch.

The B-Mets will try to get back on the horse tomorrow in game two of the four-game set. RHP Eddie Kunz (3-3, 6.34) will go for Binghamton against LHP Craig Clark (2-2, 3.46). The radio broadcast on Newsradio 1290 WNBF begins at 6:20 PM with the Horizons Federal Credit Union Pre-Game Show.

Check out the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from May 24, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central