Jonah Tong and TJ Shook Make History with Perfect Game

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Jonah Tong and TJ Shook combined to throw the first perfect game in Binghamton Rumble Ponies history on Saturday, sealing a 6-0 victory against the Reading Fightin Phils.

In a doubleheader at Mirabito Stadium, Tong recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts over 6.2 innings, facing 20 batters without allowing any to reach base. He was pulled with one out left in the seventh inning, leaving fans in disbelief.

Tong, a seventh-round pick in 2022, has been one of the Mets‘ top prospects, boasting a season ERA of 2.57 over six starts. As he displayed dominant pitching on Saturday, his fastball reached impressive speeds and his curveball left batters flailing at the plate.

“I felt great out there,” Tong said. “I just tried to focus on each batter and do my thing. It was an amazing experience.”

In the fifth inning, the Rumble Ponies took control of the game, scoring all six runs. The scoring began with a triple from right fielder D’Andre Smith, who crossed home plate after a throwing error on a stolen base.

Jett Williams contributed significantly, hitting a two-run double that extended the lead to 3-0. Nick Morabito and Ryan Clifford added singles, rounding out the scoring for Binghamton.

After Tong was substituted, Shook entered the game and struck out the final batter, completing the perfect game. It marked the first time any Mets-affiliated team has achieved this milestone.

The perfect game is Binghamton’s ninth no-hitter in franchise history and comes nearly two decades after their last home no-hitter in 2003.

Binghamton’s overall record improved to 18-12 with the win. They will conclude their five-game series against the Fightin Phils on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.