GAME NOTES - Rumble Ponies vs. Rubberducks

BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES (11-9), T-3rd Eastern, 2.0 GB (New York Mets)		Akron Rubberducks (10-12), T-3rd Eastern, 3.0 GB (Cleveland Indians)
	Tuesday, May 2, 2017 • 6:35 PM NYSEG Stadium • Binghamton, NY RHP Donovan Hand (0-0, 4.26) vs. RHP Michael Peoples (1-1, 3.97) WNBF 1290 AM RUMBLE PONIES WALK OFF IN RUBBER GAME: Luis Guillorme’s eleventh-inning RBI single gave Binghamton a 7-6 comeback win over New Hampshire on Sundayafternoon. The Rumble Ponies fought back from an early four-run deficit for their first win of the season when trailing after eight innings. Champ Stuart’s solo home run in the ninth forced extra innings, while the Binghamton bullpen allowed just one run in 7.2 innings. BINGHAMTON  STARTER: RHP Donovan Hand makes his second start for the Rumble Ponies this season. On April 25 at Akron, the 31-year-old allowed three runs on seven hits, over 6.1 innings. Despite not earning a decision, Hand’s effort helped the Ponies to a 4-3 win. The right-hander made three starts with Triple-A Las Vegas before arriving in Binghamton. He posted a 1-2 mark with a 6.35 ERA. Hand is one of two Rumble Ponies (Cody Decker) with Major League experience. AKRON STARTER: RHP Michael Peoples starts for the fifth time in 2017, and second against Binghamton. On April 25, Peoples opposed Donovan Hand and the Rumble Ponies, tossing 5.2 innings of three-run ball. He gave up six hits and three walks, while striking out three. The 6th year pro is 1-1 with a 3.47 ERA this season. In 2016, he led the RubberDucks in starts (27), wins (12), and innings pitched (159.0). Peoples went 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in three starts against Binghamton last season. POWER SURGE: Champ Stuart’s ninth-inning home run was the Rumble Ponies fifth in the last four games. Binghamton has used the long ball in four straight games for the first time this season. Prior to this stretch, the Rumble Ponies hadn’t gone back-to-back games with home runs. Stuart is tied with Cody Decker for the team lead in home runs (2). Stuart hit a career-high eight home runs between St. Lucie and Binghamton in 2016. PHOTO FINISH: Sunday’s game marked the fourth time this season that Binghamton needed extra frames, but the first time the Rumble Ponies completed a late-game comeback. The victory moved the Ponies to (1-8) when trailing after the 8th inning. WEEKLY CHAMP: Champ Stuart was named the Eastern League Player of the Week. In six games during the week (April 24 - April 30), the Bahamas native hit .455 (10-for-22) with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, five RBI, and five stolen bases. Stuart leads the Eastern League with 11 stolen bases and has successfully swiped his last 17 bases dating back to the 2016 season. GOLD GLOVES: For the ninth time in the last eleven games, Binghamton did not commit an error. The Rumble Ponies have made just two errors during that span and lead the Eastern League in fielding percentage (.988) and fewest errors made (9). Only once this season has Binghamton committed two errors (April 12 @ Portland) and it came in a 4-3 extra-inning win. UP NEXT: The Rumble Ponies continue their three-game set against Akron when RHPCorey Oswalt faces RHP Nick Pasquale at 6:35 PM.