Ponies Ride Big Fifth Inning to Rubber Game Win

BINGHAMTON, NY – Rumble Ponies infielder Mike Paez ripped a three-run double to highlight a seven-run fifth inning, guiding Binghamton past the Akron RubberDucks, 8-0, on Wednesday night at NYSEG Stadium. Mike Gibbons tossed five scoreless innings, securing the Ponies’ rubber game win.

Andres Gimenez snapped the scoreless game with a two-run double in the pivotal fifth inning, jumping on the first pitch he saw from Akron starter Tanner Tully. Barrett Barnes kept the wheels turning with an RBI single up the middle. After Akron called the bullpen for Rob Kaminsky, the lefty handed a bases-loaded walk to Ali Sanchez. Paez capped the inning by depositing his bases-clearing two-bagger into the left-field alley.

Gibbons (3-2) stepped around six hits and a walk over five scoreless innings to collect the victory. He stranded four and held Akron hitless with runners in scoring position.

Binghamton’s bullpen kept the run going. Joe Zanghi blanked the Ducks in the sixth and seventh before Ryley Gilliam fired a scoreless eighth. Stephen Nogosek closed the door with a blank ninth.

The Rumble Ponies (12-8) open a six-game series in Portland against the Sea Dogs on Thursday night at 6:00 PM. LHP Anthony Kay takes the mound against RHP Denyi Reyes. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pregame show starts at 5:45 PM and can be heard on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES: Sam Haggerty added a solo homer in the sixth, his second long ball of the season…Binghamton earned their third shutout win of the year…the Rumble Ponies improved to 1-1 in rubber games