Flaherty Dominates as SeaWolves Take Second Half Opener
Published on June 23, 2026 under Eastern League (EL)
Erie SeaWolves News Release
ERIE, PA - Detroit Tigers' starting pitcher Jack Flaherty owned the mound in his MLB Rehab appearance to bolster a strong night at the plate as the Erie SeaWolves (1-0 second half, 37-32 overall) powered their way to a double-digit offensive performance and 10-2 victory against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (0-1 second half, 27-43 overall) on Tuesday night at UPMC Park.
The excitement was palpable with Jack Flaherty making the first MLB rehab start in Erie since 2016. The right-hander did not disappoint in his 5.2 innings of work. Flaherty allowed a home run to Nick Lorusso in the first inning but did not allow another hit to the following 11 batters he faced. The California native would exit the game after surrendering one more homer but striking out seven hitters and walking just one.
The Erie bats seemed to be in for a challenge early as Binghamton starter Bryce Conley retired the first 11 batters he faced, but the second time through proved to be more of a challenge to the right-hander on the mound. With two outs in the fourth, Thayron Liranzo crushed his ninth home run of the season over the right field wall to open Erie's scoring and tie the game. Chris Meyers followed that up with a double before he was sent home on a two-run homer from Garrett Pennington, the first long ball of his SeaWolves career while in his Double-A debut to put the SeaWolves in front. Izaac Pacheco hammered the third home run of the inning and EJ Exposito would mash the fourth out to left field. The four home runs marked the most by the SeaWolves in an inning since at least 2005. Erie went to the fifth with a commanding 6-1 lead.
The offense managed four more runs through the final four frames at the plate to bring in double-digit runs for the eighth time this season. Meanwhile, the Erie bullpen picked up where Flaherty left off. Dariel Fregio recorded just one out to finish off the sixth inning and handed it over to starter Lael Lockhart who pitched the final three innings without allowing a run.
Garrett Pennington left a lasting impression in his debut. After his fourth-inning homer, the Kansan collected two more RBIs on a line drive single in the seventh.
Jack Flaherty earned the win in his first ever start in the Eastern League. Erie returns to action tomorrow for game two of the second half. Hayden Minton makes his SeaWolves debut against Jonathan Santucci. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.
Single-game tickets, suites, picnics, The Club by Synchrony events, and Bud Light Party Deck groups are now available by visiting SeaWolves.com, calling 814-456-1300, or visiting the UPMC Park Box Office in person.
Eastern League Stories from June 23, 2026
- Sea Dogs Come up Short in 7-5 Loss against Hartford - Portland Sea Dogs
- Squirrels Down Ducks 3-0 - Akron RubberDucks
- Yard Goats Run Wild with 9 Stolen Bases in 7-5 Win over Portland - Hartford Yard Goats
- Fightin Phils Drop Series Opener to Curve - Reading Fightin Phils
- Baysox Win Fourth Straight Behind de Los Santos Homer and Strong Pitching Performance - Chesapeake Baysox
- Flaherty Dominates as SeaWolves Take Second Half Opener - Erie SeaWolves
- Curve Open Second Half with 9-4 Win - Altoona Curve
- Senators Fall Short in Second-Half Opener, Lose Tuesday Night 4-2 - Harrisburg Senators
- Lorusso and Ramos Provide the Power off Flaherty, But Binghamton Falls to Erie in Series Opener - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- McDaniel, Bullpen Blank 'Ducks, 3-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Tenders Open Second Half with Dominant 4-0 Win over Patriots - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Smith's Smooth Start Not Enough to Sink Cats in Second Half Opener - Somerset Patriots
- Harrisburg Senators Game Information - June 23 at Chesapeake - Harrisburg Senators
- June 23, 2026 Portland Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
- Pirates Infielder Konnor Griffin Scheduled to Rehab with Altoona - Altoona Curve
- Sea Dogs Expect to Welcome 12 Millionth Fan on June 30th - Portland Sea Dogs
- Yard Goats to Host Annual Celebration of Negro Leagues - Hartford Yard Goats
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.
