PORTLAND, Maine – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (20-22) won their 10th consecutive game, tying the fourth-longest win streak in Double-A Binghamton history, to defeat the Portland Sea Dogs (22-20), 6-2, on Thursday night at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field.
Binghamton held a 3-2 lead into the top of the seventh inning and had two runners on base when third baseman Jacob Reimer came to the plate against right-handed reliever Caleb Bolden. Reimer delivered the big swing, a three-run home run, his seventh at Double-A this season to make it 6-2.
It was Reimer’s first home run since being activated off the injured list, and he now has 10 RBI over his first seven games back with Binghamton.
The seventh inning was started by an infield single from catcher Kevin Parada for his eighth multi-hit game. Then with two outs, designated hitter Jefferson Rojas reached on a catcher's interference against Ronald Rosario to set up Reimer.
Binghamton right-hander Dakota Hawkins made the start for Binghamton and tossed 3.0 innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits.
Portland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Designated hitter Johanfran Garcia led off the frame with a solo home run, his 14th of the season. It was just the third time over the last 10 games that Binghamton did not score first.
In the third inning, Portland extended the lead to 2-0. Center fielder Miguel Bleis delivered a solo blast. First baseman Brooks Brannon followed with a double, one of his three doubles on the night, but was left stranded.
Portland left-hander Hayden Mullins struck out eight batters over 5.0 innings and allowed just one earned run, but three came across in the fifth inning to give Binghamton a 3-2 lead.
Left fielder Corey Collins led off with a walk, followed by a double from right fielder D’Andre Smith to set up second and third base. Catcher Kevin Parada then singled to score Collins, but right fielder Tyler McDonough delivered a throwing error into third base, which allowed Smith to score to tie the game.
Shortstop Mitch Voit reached on an error from Brannon at first base, and with Parada off third base, Rosario got charged with a passed ball two pitches later, which allowed Parada to score, and it put Binghamton on top. Portland allowed two hits in the inning and made three errors.
Binghamton right-hander Bryce Conley replaced Hawkins out of the bullpen and tossed 3.0 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and just two hits. Conley has gone scoreless in back-to-back outings in relief, which have spanned 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts and just two hits.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Portland had runners on first and second base against right-hander Bryce Jenkins, but he struck out Bleis to get out of the jam.
Right-hander Saul Garcia got the nod in the eighth inning, and after a one-out single to Rosario, he left the mound with a scoreless outing.
Then in the ninth inning, right-hander Garrett Stratton tossed a perfect frame to shut the door on the 6-2 victory and his fourth consecutive scoreless outing.
Binghamton was 10-22 before beginning its current 10-game winning streak and has now climbed to 20-22. The Rumble Ponies are 11-1 in August, matching their total of 11 wins in June, which was their winningest month of the season.
The Rumble Ponies continue a six-game series with the Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A, Boston Red Sox) on Friday at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field. First pitch is set for 6:00 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: Reimer's third straight multi-hit game and seventh Double-A home run (2-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI)...Parada's eighth multi-hit game and second of the series (2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB)... Smith's seventh multi-hit game (2-for-4, R, 2B)...Conley (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO)...Jenkins (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 EE, 2 BB, 1 SO)...Garcia (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO)...Stratton's fourth straight scoreless outing (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO).