Justin Dunn earned his second win against Trenton in three tries this season, spearheading a 4-2 victory at NYSEG Stadium on Saturday night. The right-hander received early run support from the Binghamton bats, before a trio of Rumble Ponies relievers preserved the lead and extended their scoreless streak. The Ponies close the gap in the season series, seven games to six. 

Dunn’s fourth straight winning start began inauspiciously after allowing three hits and two unearned runs in the first inning. After back-to-back singles by Kyle Holder and Trey Amburgey, Ryan McBroom hit what would amount to a little league home run. He lined Dunn’s offer into left field for a single. Kevin Taylor corralled the ball and tossed out Holder at home plate, but after applying the tag, Tomas Nido fired wildy to second base to try and nab McBroom. With the baseball skipping into centerfield, both Amburgey and McBroom crossed to give the Thunder a 2-0 lead.

Binghamton punched back quickly in the home half of the first, taking a lead they’d never relinquish. Facing Trevor Stephan for the third time this season, the Rumble Ponies sent seven batters to the plate, scored thrice, and forced Stephan to toss 36 pitches. The Ponies plated their first run just two batters deep on a Joey Wong walk, a wild pitch, and a Levi Michael single. The rally continued when Kevin Taylor followed with a double, pushing Michael to third. Tomas Nido brought in the pair with a single into left field, giving Binghamton a 3-2 advantage.

The Ponies tacked on another run in the second inning, the last run of the game. Andrew Ely collected his second double of the season and was scored on Levi Michael’s single. 

Stephan (2-7) lasted just four innings in his 10thEastern League start. He gave up the four runs on five hits, whiffed six, and walked two.

For the seventh time in eight Double-A starts, Dunn (5-2) lasted at least six innings. In his six-inning effort on Saturday, the first-rounder struck out seven without allowing an earned run. 

A trio of Rumble Ponies relievers sealed the victory, extending the bullpen’s scoreless streak to seven games. Corey Taylor, Daniel Zamora, and Ryder Ryan combined to throw three innings of two-hit baseball. The threesome struck out three without issuing a walk. Ryan earned his third save of the season and second during this homestand. 

Binghamton (47-51) and Trenton conclude their four-game set on Sunday afternoon. RHP Mickey Jannis takes the mound for the Rumble Ponies against Thunder RHP Nick Nelson. First pitch at NYSEG Stadium is slated for2:05 PM.  The Horizons Federal Credit Union pregame show starts at 1:50 PM and can be heard on NewsRadio 1290 WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.

POSTGAME NOTES:The Rumble Ponies bullpen has not allowed a run in their last 25.0 innings…Binghamton has won the last five games started by Dunn…Binghamton and Trenton have both scored in the first inning in each of the first three games of the series…Corey Taylor has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances (12.2 innings).

Courtesy: Binghamton Rumble Ponies