Five-run Fourth the Difference as Ponies Blank Thunder

Binghamton, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies bullpen combined for a 3-hit shutout and Jason Krizan hit his fourth homer this week as the Ponies (26-16) blanked the Thunder (27-18) 6-0 at NYSEG Stadium on Friday night. The Ponies were fueled on “Star Wars Night” by a five-run fourth inning capped off by Krizan’s three-run shot to right.

Adonis Uceta made the spot start and pitched three scoreless frames, despite allowing two hits and three walks. Joshua Torres came in to replace him and pitched three innings, allowing just one hit, with 0 walks and two strikeouts. Ryley Gillam pitched two scoreless and Matt Blackham retired the side in order in the ninth to close things out.

Krizan continued his hot week as he hit his first homer of the year in the Ponies 7-1 win over the Thunder on Sunday. He then had two homers and a season-high five RBI Tuesday night in Binghamton’s 7-3 win over the Baysox in Bowie.

In the third, the Ponies got on the board on a Andres Giminez RBI single. In the fourth, it was Will Toffey’s RBI double off the centerfield wall that put the Ponies up 2-0. That was followed two batters later by an Ali Sanchez RBI single. The next batter Krizan hit the three-run shot that made it 6-0.

The Rumble Ponies had success against one of the Yankees top prospects in Thunder starter Albert Abreu, as the righthander allowed 6 runs and 5 hits over 5 in his start, walking six to fall to 1-4. Torres got the win in relief to go to 2-0.

POSTGAME NOTES: The Rumble Ponies are now 10-3 in series-openers…They have tied their season-high at ten games over .500 (26-16)…Reliever Ryley Gilliam has not allowed a run in his last four appearances (going two innings each time) dropping his ERA to 1.50…Ponies have won three straight games dating back to last weekend against Trenton…Sanchez was 1 for 2, with an RBI, BB, and two runs scored.