In a series defined by poor weather, the Hartford Yard Goats made the runs rain down over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies last week. After Monday’s series opener against the Mets’ prospects was spoiled by the rain, the game would be made up as part of a double header on Tuesday.
In game one, the Binghamton bats had seemingly not woken up from the extra day off, as Hartford shut them out 4-0. Blake Adams got the start for Hartford. The 24-year-old shined in five innings of work, striking out 11 and allowing only one base runner while picking up the win in the process. Sam Weatherly and Collin Baumgartner each pitched in a scoreless inning to complete the shutout (Minor League double header games are only seven innings each).
Binghamton only had three hits in the contest, though shortstop Jett Williams and first basemen Nick Lorusso both doubled. The team combined for 15 strikeouts over only seven innings. For Hartford, catcher Bryant Bethancourt was the only batter with multiple hits. The 21-year-old produced a double and drove in a run. Second basemen Dyan Jorge also doubled and centerfielder Cole Carrigg added a triple.
Game two saw Binghamton find more juice offensively, but they still came up short as Hartford pulled off the sweep of the doubleheader, 5-2. Mason Green made his third appearance and first start of the year for Hartford. He struck out five in three innings of work, allowing one earned run on an RBI double to top Mets prospect Ryan Clifford in the first. The designated hitter, Clifford, went 2-3 in the contest. Evan Shawver came on in relief for Hartford and got the win despite allowing two earned runs. Matt Turner earned his first save of the season, providing two scoreless innings to end the game.
Binghamton starter Jonah Tong pitched well through four innings, striking out five. He ran into trouble in the fifth, however, walking the first two batters of the inning before getting knocked out of the game. Reliever Joshua Cornielly allowed both runs to score along with two of his own, and the righty would take the loss in relief.
First basemen Jose Cordova continued his strong start to the season for Hartford, going 2-3 with an RBI. Right fielder GJ Hill and shortstop Jose Torres both doubled, with Torres knocking in a pair of runs. The Yard Goats were able to overcome going 2-10 with runners in scoring position and stranding seven to win in this one.
Thursday saw another postponed game, so the teams were back Friday playing another pair of seven inning games. In game one of the second doubleheader of the week, it was all Rumble Ponies as they took their first and only win of the series, 10-1.
Connor Staine got his first start of the season, taking the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, in four innings of work. He was outdueled by Binghamton’s Jack Wenninger, who has been fantastic over the first two starts of his Double A career so far. Wenninger pitched five innings, giving up one run on a solo shot to Hill in the second. The righty also struck out nine while collecting the win. TJ Shook pitched a scoreless final two frames for Binghamton. The Hill home run would be one of only three Hartford hits in game one.
Most of the Binghamton damage came in the fifth against Brayan Castillo. He allowed five hits and was charged with six runs while only recording one out before getting the hook.
Offensively for Binghamton, Williams led the way by going 2-4 with a home run and three RBIs. The entire outfield was also productive. Left fielder Rowdey Jordan picked up three RBIs on a home run during that big fifth inning. Right fielder Travis Swaggerty and center fielder Nick Morabito each doubled, with Morabito adding a pair of stolen bases. Morabito had two RBIs, Swaggerty had one and catcher Kevin Parada added one as well.
Hartford got back on track in game two, getting back into the win column with an 8-4 win in the nightcap to split the double header. It was Binghamton who struck first, however, as Lorusso hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. In the fifth, Binghamton scored another two runs on a balk and a fielder’s choice by Lorusso. Lorusso had three RBIs in the game.
That would be all for Binghamton, as the Yard Goats offense took over from that point on. After suffering a detrimental fifth inning in game one of the twin bills, it was Hartford’s turn for a big inning. Scoring eight runs in the seventh and final inning for a huge come from behind win, Hartford ambushed Binghamton relievers Trey McLoughlin and Daniel Juarez for four earned runs each. Torres led the way with a three-run home run. Third baseman Kyle Karros and Jorge each had an RBI double. Centerfielder Benny Montgomery and Carrigg each added an RBI as well.
Saturday saw yet another rainout, officially securing the series win for Hartford. That game will be made up as part of one more doubleheader, this time at Dunkin’ Park during a homestand against Binghamton in May. Though it will be at their home park, the Yard Goats will technically be the away team for one of the two games.
Sunday marked the final game of the series and the first time all week that the two teams got to play a normal day of baseball. It was a pitcher’s duel between Hartford’s Mason Albright and Binghamton’s Nolan McLean. McLean outdueled Albright, going five innings while allowing only one run and helping the Rumble Ponies to a 2-1 win. Joander Suarez secured an impressive four inning save, striking out six while only allowing two base runners.
Albright also put in a great performance, giving the Yard Goats six innings of two run ball. Binghamton third basemen Wyatt Young was the 22-year-old’s Achilles’ heel, first homering in the third inning and then driving in the winning run with a sac fly in the fifth. Despite the strong start for Albright, he took the hard luck loss when Hartford couldn’t get the bats going, a rarity in the series. Their only run came when Hill was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fourth. Despite good performances in both of his first two starts, Albright has taken the loss in both contests.
Series Preview: 4/15-4/20 vs. Portland Sea Dogs
Red Sox fans will want to make their way over to Hartford this week, as the Red Sox minor leaguers come to town in Hartford’s second homestand of the year. The highlight of the series is likely to take place off the field, as the team will host a pregame egg hunt around Dunkin’ Park as part of their celebrations on Easter Sunday. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand for a meet-and-greet with children.
After seeing four top 100 prospects come through last season, Portland still has some solid upper minor league talent on the roster. Pitchers David Sandlin and Connelly Early both rank within Boston’s top ten prospects on MLB.com. Outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia ranks sixth on the list and has the raw power to hit over 20 home runs a year if he can refine his approach. He also has a strong arm and is considered at least an average defender. Infielder Mikey Romero, who I profiled in a piece last week, rounds out the top 15 prospects on the roster.
Veen Earns Call Up to Colorado
After spending parts of five seasons in MiLB, former Yard Goat Zac Veen made his long-awaited Major-League debut on April 8. He collected his first hit in the Rockies’ 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The 9th overall pick in 2020, he was the second former first rounder of the week to debut for Colorado after pitcher Chase Dollander made his first start two days prior. Veen spent parts of three seasons with Hartford from 2022-2024, with his best production coming in a 34-game stint last season before getting promoted to Triple A. Still only 23, the outfielder has battled injuries so far in his career but has plenty of time to make good on the potential that made him a top 10 pick.