BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Mitch Voit recorded his fourth multi-hit game at the Double-A level and drove in two runs as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (12-22) defeated the Hartford Yard Goats (15-19), 6-3, on Tuesday night at Mirabito Stadium.
Hartford got on the board first, as shortstop Andy Perez led off the game with a single, second baseman Roc Riggio tallied a bunt single to set up designated hitter Jack O’Dowd, who delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.
Right-hander Channing Austin got the start for Binghamton and allowed just one run over 3.0 innings, and surrendered only two hits.
The Rumble Ponies lineup had two new looks. Right fielder JT Benson made his Double-A debut, and second baseman Émilien Pitre made his Rumble Ponies debut after being traded to the Mets from the Tampa Rays in the Freddy Perlata trade on Sunday.
Off of right-hander Fisher Jameson (L, 1-5), Binghamton tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom half of the first inning. Designated hitter Marco Vargas clobbered a solo home run as the second batter of the game, for his first Double-A home run in his first game back with the Ponies since May 31.
The Rumble Ponies offense added two runs in the third to go on top 3-1. Benson reached on a throwing error from third baseman Dyan Jorge to lead off the frame. Then shortstop Mitch Voit opened up his big night with an RBI double, and Vargas followed with an RBI single.
The Yard Goats came back and answered in the top half of the fourth inning to tie the game at 3-3. Right-hander Cristofer Gomez (W, 1-0) made his Double-A debut for Binghamton and began the frame by walking Zach Kokoska. Then center fielder GJ Hill belted a two-run home run. It was Hill’s 13th big fly of the year.
Binghamton seesawed back in front in the home half of the fourth inning. Left fielder Corey Collins, who now leads the Mets Minor League system in walks with 62, reached on a base on balls, as Benson chalked up his first Double-A hit. Then, Voit stepped in and roped another RBI double to make it 4-3 Rumble Ponies.
Voit has six doubles, eight extra-base hits, and seven RBI over his first seven games in Double-A.
Binghamton right-hander Zach Peek pitched 1.2 scoreless innings for Binghamton with three strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Binghamton added to their lead to make it 6-3. Voit tallied his third hit of the night for his fourth multi-hit game and second three-hit night. Then Vargas walked to put two runners on base. With one out, third baseman Jacob chalked up a two-run single in his first game back since June 15.
Binghamton right-hander Bryce Jenkins, who was called up from High-A Brooklyn on Tuesday, August 4, made his Double-A debut and tossed a scoreless eighth inning with one hit allowed.
Then right-hander Garrett Stratton (S, 1) picked up his first Double-A save with a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.
Binghamton was 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position and is now 31-30 on the year when they hit a home run.
The Rumble Ponies continue a six-game series with the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) on Wednesday 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: Voit's fourth multi-hit game and second three-hit game (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SB)...Vargas's first Double-A home run (2-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB)...Pitre in his Binghamton debut (2-for-4)...Benson's first Double-A hit reached base twice (1-for-4, R)...Reimer (1-for-4, 2 RBI)...Peek (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO)...Jenkins (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO)...Stratton (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO)...