BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Right-handed pitcher Noah Hall matched a career high with 10 strikeouts in his second Double-A start, leading the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (15-22) past the Hartford Yard Goats (15-22), 1-0, on Friday night at Mirabito Stadium.
Binghamton and Hartford were tied at 0-0 as they entered the bottom of the eighth inning, where the Rumble Ponies were being one-hit. Against right-hander Carlos Torres (L, 6-5), center fielder John Bay led off the frame with a single, and one batter later, he sparked catcher Kevin Parada, who delivered the go-ahead RBI double, scoring Bay from first to make it 1-0.
Parada has delivered two go-ahead hits in the series, as he deposited a two-run home run in the 3-1 win on Wednesday night against Hartford.
Right-hander Noah Hall made his second Double-A start and dazzled. The 25-year-old pitched 6.0 scoreless frames and allowed just two hits. He also struck out 10 batters, which matched a career high for the second time in his career. Hall last did it on July 24 against High-A Jersey Shore (Philadelphia Phillies Affiliate).
It is the first time this season that two Binghamton starters have tallied 10 strikeouts each in one series, as right-hander R.J. Gordon did so on Wednesday night.
On the other side, left-hander Stu Flesland III went 7.0 scoreless frames with seven strikeouts, and only surrendered one walk and one hit.
Hartford had their best chance to break the tie in the fifth inning. Hall struck out first baseman Jack O’Dwod and designated hitter Mike Antico to begin the frame before he allowed a two-out double to catcher Cole Messina and a walk to right fielder Zach Kokoska.
Both Messina and Kokoska stole a base to set up second and third for the left fielder Skyler Messinger, but Hall struck him out for his eighth of the night and third of the frame.
Flesland surrendered his first hit of the game to shortstop Marco Vargas in the top of the seventh inning, and third baseman Émilien Pitre reached on a fielder's choice, an error from shortstop Dion Jorge as he dropped the throw to second base from second baseman Roc Riggio.
Then third baseman Jefferson Rojas stepped in but lined out to Riggio, who stepped on second for the double play, and almost threw out Pitre at first base for a triple play. First baseman Jacob Reimer lined out to Jorge to end the inning.
Binghamton right-hander Garrett Stratton allowed one hit in a clean seventh inning, as Carlos Guzman (W, 3-1) struck one batter and allowed one hit in the eighth inning. Then, in the ninth inning, right-hander Saul Garcia (S, 4) notched his team-leading fourth save and second of the series.
Binghamton notched its third shutout win of the season and is now 7-3 when it is in a tie game after seven innings. Hartford has scored just seven runs in four games.
The Rumble Ponies continue a six-game series with the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) on Saturday 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: Hall struck out 10 batters, which matched a career high for the second time in his career. Hall last did it on July 24 against High-A Jersey Shore (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO)...Parada delivered a game-winning RBI double (1-for-3, 2B, RBI)...Bay scored the winning run (1-for-3, R)...Vargas (1-for-4)...Guzman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO)...Garcia, team lead, fourth save (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO).