Ronald Rosario homers in 8th to lift Sea Dogs past Rumble Ponies
Sea Dogs Edge Rumble Ponies in Ninth‑Inning Thriller
Portland, ME – In a back‑and‑forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Portland Sea Dogs pulled out an 8‑6 victory over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field Tuesday night. The win came on a dramatic two‑run homer by pinch‑hitter Ronald Rosario in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The game opened with Portland’s offense striking early. Will Turner launched a two‑run homer in the first frame, while Johanfran Garcia followed with an RBI double. Binghamton answered with a solo home run by Corey Collins, but the Sea Dogs’ early surge stayed ahead until the middle of the game.
In the bottom of the third inning, Brooks Brannon and Garcia each drove in a run with doubles, giving Portland a 5‑2 edge. Binghamton fought back in the top of the fifth, when Chris Suero produced an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 6‑5. Suero’s out also ended the inning, as Binghamton’s pitcher, former Red Sox prospect Tanner Houck, was removed after walking two batters and recording a single out. Houck finished with 20 pitches and eight strikes over four batters.
The score remained tied 6‑6 after the seventh inning, when Henry Godbout’s RBI single tied the game for the Sea Dogs. Binghamton’s offense failed to add any runs in the eighth, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With the game knotted, the Sea Dogs’ manager brought in pinch‑hitter Rosario for the bottom of the eighth. Rosario delivered a powerful two‑run homer, taking the lead to 8‑6 and sealing the win for Portland. The rally proved decisive, as Binghamton was unable to respond in the ninth inning.
The victory marks a strong performance from the Sea Dogs’ lineup, who combined for five hits and seven RBIs in the contest. The Rumble Ponies, meanwhile, added three hits and five RBIs, but could not overcome the late‑game surge from Portland.
The game showcased the intensity of the Eastern League, with both teams trading runs and momentum in a showcase that will keep the standings tight as the season continues.
