Binghamton Holds on to Defeat Akron in Thrilling Series Opener

June 18, 2024 – Eastern League (EL)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release

AKRON, Ohio – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (32-30) fought off a potential comeback bid from the Akron RubberDucks to win, 8-7, in the series opener at Canal Park on Tuesday night. Binghamton led the whole way after a three-run first inning and went up by as many as five runs and held on, despite Akron cutting it back to a one-run game.

The Ponies plated three runs in the first inning against Aaron Davenport (5-2). JT Schwartz hit an RBI single, and Kevin Parada belted a two-run homer to put Binghamton up 3-0. It marked Parada’s seventh home run of the season. All nine hitters came to the plate in the frame.

Akron (35-29) scored its first run in the third inning against Tyler Stuart (2-5) on an RBI single from C.J. Kayfus, which cut Binghamton’s lead to 3-1. Stuart earned the victory, after allowing three runs over five innings with four strikeouts.

The Ponies grabbed two runs back in the fourth. Jaylen Palmer and Wyatt Young hit back-to-back singles and Alex Ramírez later drove them in on a two-run triple that put Binghamton up 5-1.

The RubberDucks added a run on an RBI double from Yordys Valdés in the fourth and a solo homer from Kayfus in the fifth, which cut Binghamton’s lead to 5-3.

Binghamton extended its lead again in the eighth inning on back-to-back home runs from Rowdey Jordan (2-run) and Jeremiah Jackson (solo), which put the Ponies up 8-3. It marked Jordan’s fifth home run and Jackson’s team-leading ninth long ball.

Akron exploded for four runs in the eighth against Trey McLoughlin to cut Binghamton’s lead to 8-7, highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Dayan Frías, an RBI double from Nate Furman, and two-run single from Valdes.

Wilkin Ramos slammed the door shut in the ninth, working around a walk and earned his seventh save of the season.

The Rumble Ponies continue their road series with the Akron RubberDucks (Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians) at Canal Park on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on WNBF News Radio 1290 & 92.1 FM.

Postgame Notes: Ramírez went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, a run, a walk, and a stolen base, which marked his fifth three-hit game of the season…Schwartz went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs, which marked his fourth game with at least three hits this season…Jordan recorded his ninth multi-hit game and extended his hitting streak to nine games…Jackson recorded his ninth…