Jonathan Santucci gave Syracuse exactly the kind of start that usually puts a game on the right track: five clean innings, six strikeouts, no walks, and just one run allowed. The big problem was what happened after he left.
Syracuse carried a 4-0 lead early, but Justin Hagenman couldn’t hold it together over his two innings, allowing three runs as St. Paul pulled even.
Chayce McDermott then gave up the decisive run in the bottom of the ninth, and the Saints walked it off 5-4.
Santucci’s line stood out in a crowded box score. He worked 5.0 innings, gave up five hits, and never issued a free pass.
Offensively, Ryan Clifford did the heavy lifting with a 1-4 day that included a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. Jose Ramos chipped in with two hits, an RBI, and a run, while Vidal Bruján reached base four times and scored once.
MJ Melendez added an RBI single, and Émilien Pitre also scored despite going hitless.
The late innings belonged to St. Paul after Hagenman’s rough stretch changed the feel of the game. Jefry Yan got one out without allowing a run, but McDermott was the one tagged with the final damage in the ninth.
Binghamton’s night went the other direction. After falling behind 1-0 through five innings, the Rumble Ponies tied it in the sixth and then took control with a four-run seventh to beat Portland 5-2.
The bullpen was the separator. After Will Watson handled the start, Binghamton’s relievers covered 5.2 innings and allowed only one unearned run, while striking out nine and walking just one.
Corey Collins was the biggest bat in the lineup, going 2-4 with a run, a double, a home run, and two RBI. John Bay also had a strong game, finishing 2-3 with a run, an RBI, a walk, and two stolen bases.
Chris Suero went 2-4 with a run and a stolen base, Jefferson Rojas added two hits and a double, and Jacob Reimer drove in a run. Marco Vargas also knocked in a run, helping fuel the comeback.
On the mound, Ryan Dollar was sharp with two scoreless innings and four strikeouts. Bryce Conley also threw two scoreless frames, and Carlos Guzman punched out two in two-thirds of an inning. Bryce Jenkins allowed the lone unearned run in his inning of work.
Star of the Night went to Jonathan Santuci. GOAT of the Night went to Justin Hagenman.
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