Junior Subway Series


My first minor league game of the season matched New York's Eastern League rivals -- as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted the Somerset Patriots.  The home opener for the AA Mets at Mirabito Stadium. The opposing teams lined up in the pre-game ceremony.
The rival managers, Raul Dominguez for Somerset greets his Binghamton counterpart, the former big league player Reid Brignac.
Much like their parent club the Mets, the Rumble Ponies now have both male and female mascots.
(Below) The center of attention from a crowd with a big percentage of nearby Yankee fans, uber-prospect Jasson Dominguez, greets his teammates.
The Rumble Ponies sport three of the Mets best pitching prospects.  Starter Mike Vasil didn't allow a hit through the first three innings and struck out eight before running out of steam in the 4th.
(Below) Hard-hitting outfielder Matt Rudick looks a bit like a lefty-swinging Jose Altuve.  In the early going, the 5'6, 13th round draft pick (2021) from San Diego State, is hitting like the Houston icon -- with an average of .385.
Thanks to his impressive numbers in spring training, Dominguez draws the most attention for Somerset. But there are other players worth watching on his club.  
(Below) This swing from catcher/DH Carlos Narvaez became the three-run top of the 9th home run that gave the Patriots the lead.
Next up, 2nd baseman Delvin Perez made it "back-to-back and a-belly-to-belly" to make it a 7-5 game.  That smile after he returns to  the dugout says it all.
Binghamton sliced the lead to 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th... but Somerset hung on to win. 














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