BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – R.J. Gordon recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts over 6.0 innings to lead the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (13-22) to their third consecutive victory, as they defeated the Hartford Yard Goats (15-20), 3-1, on Wednesday night at Mirabito Stadium.
Gordon (W, 2-7) dazzled, as he struck out 10 batters over 6.0 innings and surrendered just one run across three hits. The 10 punchouts are a career high for Gordon. He has struck out 24 batters over his last three starts that have spanned 16.1 innings.
The Rumble Ponies offense struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Shortstop Marco Vargas led off the game with a single and stole second base. In his second game, Émilien Pitre delivered his first RBI hit, scoring Vargas.
Hartford right-hander Sam Weatherly (L, 1-5) gave up three runs and four hits over 2.0 innings. In the bottom of the second inning, Binghamton got to him again, as catcher Kevin Parada belted a two-run homer, for his first Double-A home run of the year, to make it 3-0. Parada hit one home run this year with Triple-A Syracuse.
Gordon’s only run allowed came in the fourth inning as right fielder Braylen Wimmer deposited a solo home run.
Hartford right-hander Cade Denton was outstanding in relief as he tossed 5.0 scoreless frames and surrendered just one hit. Binghamton tallied just two hits from the third to the eighth inning.
In the seventh inning, Parada chalked up a single and cashed in his sixth multi-hit game. Then, in the eighth inning, Pitre tallied a single and now has back-to-back two-hit games. In his Binghamton debut, designated hitter Jefferson Rojas grounded into a double play to end the eighth frame.
Binghamton’s bullpen went scoreless over the final three innings. Right-hander Carlos Guzman pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts. Right-hander Brendnan Girton made his seventh appearance out of the bullpen and went scoreless in the eighth inning.
Binghamton right-hander Saul Garcia (S, 3) got the ball in the ninth inning and notched his third save, which tied a team lead with Guzman.
The Rumble Ponies have taken a 2-0 series lead over the first-half Northeast Eastern League champions.
The Rumble Ponies continue a six-game series with the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) on Thursday at Mirabito Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:07 p.m and the game will be broadcast on MiLB.TV, News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM, and on the WNBF News Radio App.
Postgame Notes: Gordon set a career-high with 10 strikeouts and has 24 over his last 16.1 IP (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO)...Guzman (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO)...Girton (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO)...Garcia notched third save (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO)...Parada's sixth multi-hit game and first Double-A homer of the year (2-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI)...Pitre notched back-to-back two-hit games (2-for-4, RBI)...