Going 10 days without driving in a run proved to be too much for Riley Greene. So, he did something about it … and then some.
MLB’s No. 16 overall prospect came through with a walk-off single to cap a three-hit, five-RBI performance as Erie edged visiting Binghamton, 5-4, Wednesday night. Greene’s game-winning hit came with two outs in the ninth inning and helped produce his second five-RBI effort this season, tying his career high originally set in 2019.
With Erie trailing, 4-3, and runners on second and third with two outs, Detroit’s No. 2 prospect worked the count full against Binghamton reliever Andrew Mitchell. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Greene chopped a grounder up the middle and beat second baseman’s Luis Carpio’s throw to first. Heads-up baserunning by John Valente, who never stopped after taking off from second, gave Erie the victory.
The 20-year-old sandwiched a pair of groundouts around an RBI single to center in the third and proceeded to swipe second for his third stolen base of the year. Greene tied the score for a second time in the seventh with a two-run knock to right, helping set the stage for his heroics in the ninth. The Orlando, Fla., native amassed five RBIs for the second time this season after doing so May 5. He also collected five RBIs on June 24, 2019, in the first game of his professional career.
Greene has endured an uneven start to 2021. Although the fifth overall pick in the 2019 Draft has hit safely in nine-of-14 games to begin the year, he is batting .259 with a .678 OPS. Conversely, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has driven in 12 runs in 58 at-bats despite going seven games in between RBIs.
Mets No. 8 prospect Mark Vientos doubled twice and drove in a run while Yoel Romero reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run.