Yard Goats rally past Rumble Ponies to stay in first place

Willie Abreu’s two-run single helped lift the Yard Goats to a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Sunday afternoon before 6,850 at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford.

The Yard Goats (36-25) held on to first place by a half-game over Trenton in the tight Eastern Division first-half playoff race with seven games to play in the split- season. Eastern League saves leader Ben Bowden earned his 19th save in 19 chances, striking out the side in the ninth inning.

It was the 18th sellout of the season in 30 home dates for the Yard Goats, who are averaging 5,737 fans per date and lead the EL in attendance with 172,101. Hartford needs to draw 23,761 to reach the one million mark in the third year of the franchise.

Held without a hit for five innings by Binghamton starter Luc Rennie, who was making his Double A debut, the Yard Goats rallied in the sixth against Austin McGeorge. With one out, Manny Melendez and Tyler Nevin hit back-toback singles, before Colton Welker walked. Abreu followed by stroking a two-run single to right field. Welker scored the game’s final run on a fielder’s choice ground out by Alan Trejo.

Hartford starter Rico Garcia picked up his leagueleading eighth victory (8-1), thanks to the comeback. The Hawaii native allowed one run and three hits, walked three and struck out four. Heath Holder and Logan Cozart each pitched a scoreless inning, setting the stage for Bowden’s heroics. The Yard Goats are now 8-1 in deciding games of series.

Binghamton (32-25) scored its only run in the fifth inning on a leadoff double by Ali Sanchez, wild pitch and a sacrifice fly down the left field line by Braxton Lee.