BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – After going hitless on Thursday, Santiago Espinal provide five RBI for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Friday, leading them to a 10-5 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
Espinal’s two-run homer was joined by Alberto Mineo’s dinger during an eight-run first inning that set the evening’s tone. A total of 13 batters came up to the plate before Binghamton retired the side, with Espinal later adding another RBI on a ground out that allowed Vinny Capra to score. Binghamton starting pitcher Michael Gibbons leaving after eight of the first nine batters in that stretch reached base safely.
Binghamton actually outhit New Hampshire the rest of the way as a committee of Pony relievers steadied the ship somewhat, but Espinal did bring in additional runs with an RBI single in the third and an RBI double in the ninth.
The Ponies did turn in a respectable offensive performance later in the game with a three-run fifth, an Arismendy Alcantara double in the seventh that brought Michael Paez home and another two-run rally in the eighth.
Paez and Alcantara ended with two RBI, with Alcantara finishing with a 3-for-5 day at the plate.
Espinal finished with four hits for the first time this year, as he has now recorded at least one hit in 22 of his 29 appearances for New Hampshire this year. He’s also enjoyed his time at NYSEG Stadium this season, hitting 12 of the 18 RBI he’s hit so far this season while the Fisher Cats have visited the Rumble Ponies.
Also of note, Chad Spanberger finished 3-for-5 on the day.
Gibbons (3-4) got the loss, although only six of the eight runs occurring on his watch were earned.
Hector Perez (2-2) got the win, scattering two runs off four hits and a pair of walks, striking out seven Binghamton batters.
Ty Tice earned his second save of the year, retiring the final four Binghamton batters of the contest.
Both teams return Saturday for a 2:05 p.m. showdown with New Hampshire’s Zach Logue (2-2, 3.97 ERA) taking on Chris Mazza (0-1, 1.98 ERA).
