Roc Riggio & Jack O’Dowd Homer in Goats Loss
Binghamton, NY- Roc Riggio and Jack O’Dowd each hit home runs, but the Yard Goats squandered two leads and lost to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies 6-4 on Saturday night at Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton, New York. Mets top prospect Jefferson Rojas cracked a two-run triple in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie and send the Yard Goats to a season-high sixth consecutive loss. The Yard Goats conclude the road trip tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM and the Yard Goats return home next Tuesday to host the Detroit Tigers affiliate, the Erie Seawolves at Dunkin’ Park.
The Rumble Ponies scored the first run of the game in the first inning against Yard Goats starter Bryson Hammer who made is Double-A debut. Jefferson Rojas singled home Mitch Voit giving the Mets affiliate the early advantage.
The Yard Goats took a 3-1 lead in the third inning against Binghamton starter Gabe Davis who was making his debut in the Mets organization after being acquired from the White Sox system. GJ Hill started the rally with a leadoff bunt single, stole second and eventually scored on a ground ball by Roc Riggio which tied the game at 1-1. Later in the inning, Jack O’Dowd smashed a two-run homer, his fifth as a Yard Goat, giving Hartford a 3-1 lead.
Binghamton tied the game in the fourth inning with a two-out rally. After Hammer retired the first two batters, Chris Suero cracked a double to left field. Billy Amick followed with a two-run homer, his fourth in just six games played with the Ponies, and tied the game at 3-3.
The Yard Goats took a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning on Roc Riggio’s solo home run. It was his team-leading 16th blast of the season. However, the Rumble Ponies tied the game on Jacob Reimer’s RBI single in the sixth inning, scoring Jefferson Rojas.
For the second night in a row the Rumble Ponies scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Mitch Voit led off with a single and Emilien Pitre followed with a bunt single against reliever Nathan Blasick. Next, Jefferson Rojas cracked a triple to right field, scoring Voit and Pitre and giving Binghamton a 6-4 lead.
Binghamton relievers retired the final 15 batters faced after the Riggio home run, including the side in order from the sixth through ninth innings.
The Yard Goats conclude the road trip on Sunday afternoon (1:00 PM) against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton, New York. RHP Connor Staine will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Channing Austin will start for the Rumble Ponies. The game will be broadcast on the free Audacy App, iHeartRadio app, Yard Goats website and streamed on MiLB.TV. The Yard Goats return home Tuesday, July 28th (7:10 PM) to start a six-game homestand against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Dunkin’ Park.