Binghamton falls to Erie 9-6 in Game 1 of Eastern League Championship
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies rallied late but were defeated by the Erie SeaWolves 9-6 in Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship on Monday night.
The Ponies' high-powered offense picked up where they left off in their first round matchup with Somerset, as the dynamic duo of Luisangel Acuna and Jett Williams helped them scratch across three runs over the first two innings.
Working with a lead, top pitching prospect Blade Tidwell was cruising early, as he allowed a double to the first batter he faced but quickly worked through three scoreless innings and racked up seven strikeouts.
The Erie offense woke up in the fourth, though, scoring six times over the next three innings against Tidwell and the Ponies' bullpen to jump in front and take the lead. The 22-year-old Tidwell allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits while walking two and striking out seven across five innings.
Binghamton's offense responded back in the sixth as Williams' third walk of the game prolonged the inning and brought up Drew Gilbert, who crushed a massive game-tying three-run homer.
However, it wasn't the Rumble Ponies pitching staffs night, as the bullpen let the SeaWolves jump right back in front an inning later on a two-out double down the left field line.
Gilbert tired to spark another rally trailing by three in the bottom of the ninth, but Erie right-hander Tyler Mattison retired the next three batters easily to hold on for the 9-6 series opening win.
Kevin Parada had one of his best games at the Double-A level, producing three hits and driving in a run. Williams drew four walks on the night and both Acuna and Gilbert had two hits.
Binghamton now faces a must win game on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. with right-hander Christan Scott on the mound.
