Ponies with Hot Start But Curve Prevail Late

May 14, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Rumble Ponies raced to a 4-0 first inning lead but seven unanswered runs from Altoona (6-3) was too much to overcome as the Curve held on for a 9-7 victory Friday night at Rumbletown Stadium. The Ponies (0-9) mounted a ninth-inning rally, but Carlos Cortes was thrown out at home plate trying to score by shortstop Oneil Cruz to end the game.

Binghamton got off to a quick start loading the bases with no outs against Altoona starter Max Kranick. With one out, Jeremy Vasquez grounded into a fielder's choice but an error on Cruz on the return throw to first allowed two runs to score to make it 2-0 Ponies. Mark Vientos followed with a two-run homer to left-center field to extend the advantage to 4-0. Vientos now has two of the three Rumble Ponies home runs hit this season.

Altoona would respond with seven unanswered runs, highlighted by a four-run third. Canaan Smith-Njigba also hit a two-run homer in the second. It was the Curve's sixth home run of the series.

With Altoona up 9-6 in the ninth, Binghamton put together a furious two-out rally. Pinch-hitter Will Toffey and Cortes drew walks and Nick Meyer drove in Toffey with an RBI single. That set up the tying runs on base with Sebastian Elizalde at the plate, who hit a single off the glove of the diving Cruz, leading to the game-ending play at the plate.

The Scranton native Kranick (1-0) got the win for Altoona allowing four runs over five. Ponies RHP Dylan Hall (0-1) making the second start of his professional career as well as his Double-A debut allowed six earned runs over four frames in the loss.

The Rumble Ponies continue their six-game series at home Saturday night. First pitch is at 6:35 PM and pregame coverage gets underway at 6:20.

POSTGAME NOTES: Meyer finished the game 3-5 with an RBI and run scored...Cortes was 2-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a walk...Tony Dibrell pitched three scoreless frames in relief of Hall, allowing just one hit and a walk.

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