Espinal's Two-Run Double Sparks Comeback Effort, But NH Falls Short, 4-2
June 20, 2019 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester, NH - Santiago Espinal laced a two-run double in the sixth inning, but the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) could not avoid a three-game sweep in a 4-2 loss to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets) on Thursday night at Delta Dental Stadium.
Binghamton (2-0) rumbled out of the starting gate with a flourish. Andres Gimenez started the game with a double and scored on a single by Ali Sanchez for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Two more runners crossed the plate in the top of the third. Quinn Brodey doubled and Gimenez reached on a bunt. A wild pitch allowed Brodey to score and Gimenez came across on a sacrifice fly by Patrick Mazeika.
The Rumble Ponies added to the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Braxton Lee and Sanchez put together consecutive doubles as Binghamton took a 4-0 advantage.
The Fisher Cats (0-2) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning. The frame started with a double to left field by Brock Lundquist and Vinny Capra reached on a bunt. After a groundout, Espinal doubled to make it 4-2.
Those would be the only runs allowed by Binghamton starter Tommy Wilson (W, 1-3), who went the first six innings, allowing just four hits. After two scoreless innings by Joe Zanghi, Ryder Ryan walked two batters in the ninth. Joseph Shaw picked up his first save by retiring the final two Fisher Cats.
Jon Harris (L, 1-1) was charged with the loss. William Ouellette, Vinny Nittoli and Danny Young followed on the mound. The trio allowed only one run, and combined to retire the final ten Binghamton batters in order.
Notes: Harris made his first start of 2019 for the Fisher Cats as he works back from an injury. After allowing a run in the first, he struck out the side in the second inning.
Mazeika drove in six runs for Binghamton in the three-game series sweep.
The Fisher Cats host the Trenton Thunder (N.Y. Yankees) on Friday at 6:35 p.m. in the first game of a three-game series. Friday will be the ever-popular Comic-Con Night at Delta Dental Stadium. Come dressed as your favorite comic book & movie characters, meet superheroes, and more! A spectacular Atlas Fireworks Show will follow the game, presented by AutoFair.
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Eastern League Stories from June 20, 2019
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- Sanchez, Wilson Lead Ponies to Road Sweep of Cats - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Nelson Deals, But Thunder Drop Series Finale - Trenton Thunder
- Fightins Drop Two, Split Series with Ducks - Reading Fightin Phils
- Espinal's Two-Run Double Sparks Comeback Effort, But NH Falls Short, 4-2 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Baysox Sweep Hartford Behind Three-Hitter - Bowie Baysox
- Bowie Keeps Goats at Bay for Sweep - Hartford Yard Goats
- Rumble Ponies Game Notes: GM 65 Rumble Ponies (1-0) at New Hampshire Fisher Cats (0-1) - 6:35PM - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- RubberDucks Fall then Get Suspended - Akron RubberDucks
- Fightins Win One, Game Two Suspended vs. Akron - Reading Fightin Phils
- Fightins and RubberDucks to Resume Thursday - Reading Fightin Phils
- Baysox Score Five in Ninth to Defeat Hartford - Bowie Baysox
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