PORTLAND, Maine – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (34-32) surrendered a 3-0 first-inning lead and were eliminated from postseason contention with a 14-6 loss to the Portland Sea Dogs (34-32) at Hadlock Field on Thursday night.
Binghamton took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Portland left-hander Devin Futrell, who allowed the first three hitters to reach base. Shortstop Mitch Voit reached on an error by catcher Johanfran Garcia, and third baseman Jefferson Rojas followed with a double.
Designated hitter Jacob Reimer delivered a three-run home run, his 8th of the season to get him to 40 RBI to give the Rumble Ponies the early lead.
Futrell settled in and retired 11 straight hitters, struck out five over 3.2 innings pitched and was taken out for left-hander Tyler Davis (W, 2-2).
Binghamton right-hander Luke Gabrysh (L, 1-2) allowed just one run and one hit across the first three innings pitched. In the second inning, Portland cut the Binghamton lead to 3-1.
Shortstop Mason White doubled to lead-off the frame. Two batters later center fielder Nelly Taylor walked with White off third base and then Portland engineered a double steal to score their first run.
In the fourth inning, Portland unloaded for six runs behind two home runs against Gabrysh and right-hander Douglas Orellana. The first three batters Gabrysh faced reached before Orellana entered with the bases loaded and third baseman Ahbram Liendo came up clutch with a go-ahead grand slam.
Portland led 5-3 with one out in the fourth inning and after a single from right fielder Isaiah Jackson, designated hitter Ronald Rosario belted a two-run home run to go in front 7-3. It was the second two-run shot of the series for Rosario.
The Rumble Ponies tallied their first two hits since the first inning in the fifth frame as right fielder JT Benson and second baseman Eddinson Paulino both reached with one out. Davis struck out Voit and Rojas to end the threat.
Binghamton right-hander Calvin Ziegler, made his Double-A debut, and tossed a scoreless fifth inning with two strikeouts. Ziegler ranked as the New York Mets No. 10 prospect in 2023.
Davis struck out three batters over 2.1 scoreless frames and surrendered just two hits. In the seventh inning, Portland gave the ball to right-hander Caleb Bolden and Binghamton cut the deficit to 7-4. First baseman Jamari Baylor walked, stole second and reached third base on a throwing error from Garcia down to second base. Paulino then delivered a sacrifice fly.
Portland answered right back in the bottom of the seventh inning against right-hander Dakota Hawkins, as White belted a solo home run, 430 feet. He was a triple shy of the cycle.
Boldon struck out the side in the eighth inning, which brought his total to five strikeouts over 2.0 innings. Then, in the bottom half of the inning, right-hander Parker Carlson made his Double-A for Binghamton debut but surrendered two runs in the frame, to give Portland a 10-4 lead.
First baseman Brooks Brannon doubled with one out, and Rosario drove him in with a base hit. Garcia then kept things going with an RBI double, scoring Rosario from first base. Portland added six runs with two outs, as second baseman Yoeilin Cespedes tallied Portland’s 11th hit of the night with an RBI single.
After two more Sea Dogs hitters reached base, left fielder Caden Rose brought them all in with a three-run home run to make it 14-4.
In the top of the ninth inning against Portland left-hander Erik Rivera, Binghamton got the first six batters to reach base safely. Rivera walked in a run when he faced Paulino and Voit tallied an RBI single to cut the deficit to 14-6.
Binghamton was 10.0 games back of first place on August 1 and held a record of 10-22 at the trade deadline. The Rumble Ponies went 25-11 over their last 36 games before being eliminated from postseason contention with three games to play in the 2026 regular season.
The Reading Fightin Phils would clinch a second half title with a win on Thursday night over the Erie SeaWolves. The Somerset Patriots would still be alive with a win over the Hartford Yard Goats and a Fightin Phils loss.
The Rumble Ponies continue a six-game series with the Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A-Boston Red Sox) on Friday at Hadlock Field. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m and the game will be broadcast on News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM, and on the WNBF News Radio App.
Postgame Notes: Reimer 8th HR, 40th RBI with a three-run home run (1-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI)...Rojas (1-for-5, R, 2B)...Benson (1-for-3, SB, HBP)...Paulino (1-for-2, 2 RBI, BB, SB)...Voit reached base three times (2-for-5, R, RBI)...Ziegler in Double-A debut (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO).