Game Recap and Highlights: Ritter and Vasil Shine but Ponies Drop Series Finale in Altoona

 

For Immediate Release

Date: June 4, 2023 By Matt Levine. 

Box Score

ALTOONA, Pa. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (23-27) dropped the series finale to the Altoona Curve 6-4 on Sunday afternoon, despite a strong start from Mike Vasil.

Vasil allowed just one hit over five innings of work. He struck out six batters and retired the final 13 batters that he faced, after allowing a solo home run to Matt Gorski in the first inning.

The Ponies would tie the game in the second with Luke Ritter’s solo homer. Ritter homered again to lead off the third inning, which made it 3-1. Ritter had two multi-homer games in this series and four homers this week.

Altoona (27-22) scraped across five runs in the sixth to take the lead on an RBI walk from Gorski, two-run single from Mason Martin, and two-run double from Andres Alvarez. The Curve led 6-3 after six innings.

Binghamton threatened in the ninth, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with no outs, but only managed to bring home one run when Rowdey Jordan hit into a double play.

The Ponies have dropped five games in a row and for the second-straight season dropped five games to Altoona in a six-game set.

The Rumble Ponies will continue their 12-game road trip, as they take on the Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) for six games beginning on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM and pregame coverage gets underway at 6:45 PM on the WNBF Rumble Ponies Radio Network.

Postgame Notes: Ritter has homered six times in his last 10 games…Jordan had a multi-hit game…Nolan Clenney threw 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen…Trey McLoughlin threw one scoreless frame with two strikeouts…The Ponies out-hit Altoona, 8-5, in the game.

2 At-Bats - 2 HRs for Luke Ritter "The Hitter" @RumblePoniesBB lead 3-1 after 4 #Mets #LGM #MetsTwitter @ernestdove @MiLBMetsMadness @bkfan09 @RitterLukehttps://t.co/sAcHSPtiLU pic.twitter.com/pxjeHyVrUj

— Mets News and Links (@JohnFromAlbany) June 4, 2023

Mike Vasil's return to the mound is a good one - 5 innings, 6Ks, 1 hit - a HR, 1 run. He retired the last 13 batters he faced after the HR - 73 pitches, 51 strikes #Mets #LGM #MetsTwitter @ernestdove @MiLBMetsMadness @bkfan09 @zachtnt pic.twitter.com/EnVS6aZYo5

— Mets News and Links (@JohnFromAlbany) June 4, 2023