Binghamton Game Recap: Clifford’s Third Multi-Homer Game Leads Binghamton Past Somerset

Ryan Clifford, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Photo by Bronson Harris (@BRONSONHARRIS) courtesy of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@rumbleponiesbb)

For Immediate Release

Date: August 6, 2025   By: Matt Levine, Binghamton Rumble Ponies Broadcaster 

Box Score: Jett Williams: SS 2 for 4; 1 run; 1 walk; 1 double; Carson Benge*: LF 1 for 5; 1 run; 3 RBIs; 2 Ks; 1 double; Nick Morabito: CF 1 for 5; 1 RBI; 1 K; 1 double; Ryan Clifford: 1B 2 for 5; 2 runs; 2 RBIs; 1 K; 2 HRs; D'Andre Smith: RF 0 for 4; 3 Ks; Nick Lorusso: 3B 2 for 4; 1 SB; Kevin Parada: C 2 for 3; 1 run; 1 walk; 1 double; JT Schwartz*: DH 0 for 4; 1 K; William Lugo: 2B 1 for 4; 1 run; 1 K; Luis Moreno:  4 innings; 1 run; 1 ER; 2 hits; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Trey McLoughlin: (W, 2-0) 1 inning; no runs; 3 Ks; Ben Simon:  2 innings; no runs; 3 hits; 1 K; TJ Shook:  2 innings; no runs; 1 hit; 3 Ks;

 

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – First baseman Ryan Clifford belted two home runs and led the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (24-11, 69-33) to a 6-1 win over the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday night at TD Bank Ballpark.

In the second inning, Clifford (2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, K) hit a leadoff home run off right-hander Ben Hess (0-1), which tied the game 1-1. It marked Clifford's 22^nd home run of the season.

In the seventh inning, Clifford smoked a line-drive solo home run to right field with two outs and put the Ponies ahead 6-1. The home run traveled 399 feet and had an exit velocity of 113.6 miles per hour. It marked Clifford's 23^rd home run of the year and his third multi-home run game of the season and seventh of his career. The 22-year-old's other multi-homer games this season were on July 23 at Reading and July 8 vs. Altoona.

Clifford leads Double-A and ranks fifth in Minor League Baseball with 23 home runs. Only four hitters in the minor leagues have hit more home runs than Clifford this season.

With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the fifth, Binghamton exploded for four runs and took a 5-1 lead. The frame was highlighted by left fielder Carson Benge's (1-for-5, 3 RBI, R, 2B) bases-clearing three-run double and center fielder Nick Morabito's RBI double. Catcher Kevin Parada (2-for-3, R, 2B, BB) led off with a walk, second baseman William Lugo hit a one-out single, and shortstop Jett Williams (2-for-4, R, 2B) drew a walk to load the bases for Benge, who now has 23 runs batted in across 28 games with Double-A Binghamton.

Somerset (21-14, 56-48) got on the board two batters into the bottom of the first against right-hander Luis Moreno. Shortstop George Lombard Jr. hit a leadoff triple and center fielder Jace Avina followed with an RBI single.

Moreno recorded a season-high four innings pitched and allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts. Binghamton's bullpen was spotless. Right-hander Trey McLoughlin (2-0) returned from the injured list and earned the victory and recorded three strikeouts over a hitless and scoreless fifth inning, which marked his first appearance since May 16. Right-hander Ben Simon made his Double-A debut and recorded one strikeout over two scoreless frames. Right-hander TJ Shook tossed the final two innings with three strikeouts and did not allow a run.

The Rumble Ponies continue a six-game road series against the Somerset Patriots (Double-A, New York Yankees) on Thursday at TD Bank Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. and the games will be broadcast on WNBF News Radio 1290 & 92.1 FM.

Postgame Notes: Clifford recorded his team-leading 28^th multi-hit game and 17^th multi-RBI game…Williams recorded his 23^rd multi-hit game…Benge recorded his seventh multi-RBI game…Parada recorded his 15^th multi-hit game…Third baseman Nick Lorusso (2-for-4, SB) extended his hit streak to 10 games and recorded his 19^th multi-hit game.

Ryan Clifford (@Mets No. 7 prospect) crushes his 22nd home run of the season 🚀

Only four players in @MiLB have hit more HR this season

🎠 x #NeedForSteed x @ryanclifford21 x @MetsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/mXgqNhPail

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) August 6, 2025

Carson Benge (@Mets No. 4 prospect) is on another planet 🤯

Benge -- @MLBPipeline's No. 68 prospect -- plates three on a bases-clearing double and has recorded 23 RBIs in 28 games at Double-A

🎠 x #NeedForSteed x @MetsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/rDVNzzUTGZ

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) August 7, 2025

Nick Morabito (@Mets No. 12 prospect) rips an RBI double for his 24th double of the season 🔥

🎠 x #NeedForSteed x @NickMorabito1 x @MetsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/6JyPh0xPLV

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) August 7, 2025

Welcome back, Trey McLoughlin 👏

Returning from the IL, he recorded three strikeouts in his first appearance since May 16

🎠 x #NeedForSteed x @MetsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/arZbjuI7YQ

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) August 7, 2025

Ryan Clifford (@Mets No. 7 prospect) lasers his second home run of the game and 23rd HR of the season 🚀

It marks his third multi-HR game of the season

📏 399 feet
🔥 113.6 mph

🎠 x #NeedForSteed x @ryanclifford21 x @MetsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/AArufgh1tJ

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) August 7, 2025