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Jonah Tong Throws Another Gem

By Matt Mongin

April 14, 2024 No comments

Jonah Tong, Photo by Ed Delany of Mets Minors

St. Lucie’s Jonah Tong put up another double-digit strikeout performance, while Kevin Parada hit his first homer of the season as Binghamton splits their doubleheader. 

Weather continued to be an issue as another affiliate’s game was postponed.

Triple-A

Worcester Red Sox (4-8), Syracuse Mets (7-5) PPD

The Syracuse Mets/ Worcester Red Sox game was postponed due to inclement weather conditions. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 14, beginning at 12:05 p.m. 

Double-A

Game 1: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-3) 9, Erie SeaWolves (3-3) 2

BOX SCORE

  • C Kevin Parada: 1-for-2, HR, (1), RBI (3), (1.062 OPS)
  • LF Brandon McIlwain: 2-for-3, 3B, 3 RBI (3), BB, SB (1), K (.804 OPS)
  • 1B Jose Peroza: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI (3), K (.869 OPS)
  • CF Alex Ramirez: 1-for-4, K (.915 OPS)

In the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader, Binghamton displayed their offensive potential in a 9-2 victory. After falling behind 2-0 in the second inning, the Rumble Ponies scored nine unanswered runs, powered by Kevin Parada and Jose Peroza’s home runs and three runs batted in by Brandon McIlwain. After posting an underwhelming .752 OPS between Brooklyn and Binghamton, Parada has come out the gates hot as he hopes to show off his potential as a former first-round draft selection. 

  • RHP Joander Suarez: 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K (52 of 86 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Nolan Clenney (W, 1-0): 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 K (14 of 25 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Paul Gervase: 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, K (9 of 19 pitches for strikes)

Joander Suarez’s impressive 30-inning scoreless streak ended on Saturday. Suarez faced some adversity after he allowed six baserunners in his four and two-thirds innings of work, but he managed to limit most of the damage. Nolan Clenney and Paul Gervase closed out the abbreviated seven-inning game by allowing three base runners and no runs in the final two frames. 

Game 2: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-4) 6, Erie SeaWolves (4-3) 7

BOX SCORE

  • SS Jeremiah Jackson: 2-for-4, HR (1), 4 RBI (6), SB (1) (.530 OPS)
  • LF Alex Ramirez: 1-for-3, RBI (4) BB, SB (5), K (.917 OPS)
  • RF Rhylan Thomas: 1-for-3, 2B, BB (.916 OPS)

The nightcap of the doubleheader proved to be an exciting game as it stretched to extra innings. The Rumble Ponies would open the game with a run after a wild pitch scored Jett Williams. The SeaWolves responded in a big way in the bottom of the inning as Jake Holton sent one out of the park, scoring two. Erie added to their lead in the following frame after a Daniel Cabrera sacrifice fly, making the score 3-1.

Binghamton would fight back in the third inning with three runs after an Alex Ramirez fielder’s choice ground out and Jeremiah Jackson’s two-run single. A fifth-inning Jeremiah Jackson homerun would extend the Rumble Ponies lead to 6-3, but Erie countered with a three-run shot, tying the ball game at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth. 

The game was tied after seven innings and headed to extras, where Binghamton failed to bring the runner on second home. After a Jake Holton ground out, the SeaWolves walked off the game on a Carlos Guzman wild pitch. 

  • RHP Troy Miller: 4 IP, 2 ER, H, 2 BB, 5 K (41 of 72 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Junior Santos (L, 0-2): 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, BB, 2 K (16 of 32 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Trey McLoughlin: 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K (15 of 27 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Carlos Guzman (L, 0-1): 2/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 0 H, K, WP (6 of 12 pitches for strikes)

After early troubles, Troy Miller settled in and pitched a solid outing. The 27-year-old right-hander finished the day with one hit allowed, two earned runs, and five strikeouts in four innings pitched. Bullpen arms failed to keep the SeaWolves off the board in their combined three and two-thirds pitched, ultimately giving up the game-ending wild pitch. 

High-A

Game 1: Asheville Tourists (4-3) 2, Brooklyn Cyclones (2-5) 6 

BOX SCORE

Brooklyn broke out of their hitting slump in the first game of their Saturday doubleheader, scoring eight runs on seven hits. Stanley Consuegra led the way for the Cyclones, bringing in three runs and hitting this monstrous homer off the Maimonides Park scoreboard. 

Two-Way Prospect Nolan McLean made his second consecutive start as the DH and delivered another extra-base hit, a double. On Wednesday, McLean pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Brooklyn.

  • LHP Felipe De La Cruz: 4 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K (46 of 67 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Dakota Hawkins: 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 K (33 of 55 pitches for strikes)

Felipe De La Cruz gave Brooklyn another fantastic outing – going four and a third innings, allowing only three hits, a walk, and no runs. Dating back to last season, De La Cruz has given up only five earned runs in 25 1/3 innings in High-A Brooklyn, good for a 1.79 ERA. Dakota Hawkins picked up where De La Cruz finished, maintaining Brooklyn’s lead through the final two innings. Hawkins gave up two earned runs but struck out five Asheville batters. 

Game 2: Asheville Tourists (4-4) 1, Brooklyn Cyclones (3-5) 3 

BOX SCORE

  • C Drake Osborn: 1-for-3, R, HR, (1), 3 RBI (3) (1.159 OPS)
  • 1B Ryan Clifford: 1-for-3, 2B (.615 OPS)
  • CF Omar De Los Santos: 1-for-3, 2 SB (7), K (.513 OPS)

Brooklyn managed to sweep the doubleheader behind excellent pitching from Jordan Geber and the Cyclones bullpen. Though they did not have many baserunners, a three-run Drake Osborn home run was all the Cyclones needed to win the second game of the day. Top Mets prospect Ryan Clifford also delivered an extra base as he continues to find his footing in High-A ball. 

  • RHP Jordan Geber: 4 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K (43 of 59 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Alan Perdomo (W, 1-0): 1 2/3 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 2 K (17 of 31 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Joshua Cornielly (S, 1): 1 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 K (16 of 20 pitches for strikes)

Geber was superb for Brooklyn- allowing five hits, no earned runs, and seven strikeouts in only four innings pitched. Geber’s ability to earn double plays and strikeouts after allowing early-inning hits saved him from serious trouble. Alan Perdomo and Joshua Cornielly were just as great out of the bullpen, allowing a combined two hits and one earned run to stymie the Asheville offense. 

Low-A

St. Lucie Mets (3-5) 14, Jupiter Hammerheads (4-4) 1

BOX SCORE

St. Lucie would own this game from the start and never relent. Dominant outings from the pitching staff and the lineup guided the Mets to a 14-1 rout of the Jupiter Hammerheads. 2022 second-round pick Nick Morabito continues his hot streak for PSL after he brought in three runs and upped his OPS to .959. Jesus Baez left the park for the first time this season with a three-run shot, which was part of St. Lucie’s seven-run fifth-inning

  • RHP Jonah Tong: 4 IP, R (0 ER), H, 3 BB, 10 K (49 of 80 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Austin Troesser (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 6 K (45 of 65 pitches for strikes)
  • RHP Juan Arnaud: 1 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 2 K (11 of 20 pitches for strikes)

Jonah Tong was electric, to say the least. He earned ten strikeouts in four innings while only allowing one hit. Tong has an absurd 21 strikeouts through two starts (8 1/3 IP) this season. The pitching prospect will have to continue to work on command and pitch efficiency (only 61% of pitches are thrown for strikes), but he has become extremely entertaining to watch and follow.  

Austin Troesser and Juan Arnaud held down the sizeable St. Lucie lead, each with three hits and no runs allowed. 

 

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Written by mattmongin

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