Yard Goats Walk-Off Senators in 10th for 4th Win in Row
Manchester, NH- The Hartford Yard Goats (59-44) walked off the Harrisburg Senators (57-47) with a 3-2 10 inning win on Thursday evening at a neutral ballpark, Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire. Catcher Jan Vazquez belted a single to the gap in right center field with two outs in the 10th inning scoring Rosell Herrera for Hartford's fourth consecutive win and 11th win in the last 13 games. The victory improved the Yard Goats to 15 games above .500 for the first time this season. Hartford infielder Pat Valiaka went 0-5 and had his 15 game hit-streak come to an end.
Yard Goats starting pitcher German Marquez had a no-hitter with two outs in the 8th inning and retired 14 in row from first through sixth innings before giving up three straight hits and two runs in the eighth inning.
The Yard Goats scored the first run of the game on an error in the third inning. Raimel Tapira ripped a single to centerfield and went to second base on Rosell Herrera's infield hit. With two outs Noel Cuevas hit a ground ball down the third base line which was fielded by Drew Ward. However, Ward's throw was off the mark and nipped off the glove of first baseman Neftali Sota allowing Tapia to score and give Hartford a 1-0 lead.
The Yard Goats added to their lead the fifth inning with a home run. Raimel Tapia blasted a solo shot over the right field fence off Senators starter Jaron Long, making it 2-0 Hartford.
Marquez had a no-hitter with two outs in the eighth inning before the Senators rally for two runs on three straight hits. Rafael Bautista beat out an infield single on a tough defensive play for second baseman Juan Ciriaco. Andrew Stevenson followed with a clean single to right field. Isaac Ballou then, cracked a triple over Raimel Tapia's head in centerfield, scoring both Bautista and Stevenson and tying the game at 2-2.
The Yard Goats came up with a dramatic ending in the ninth. Rosell Herrera began the inning with a walk and moved to second base on Noel Cuevas' sacrifice bunt. He took third on Ryan McMahon's infielder grounder. Next Jan Vazquez belted a single to the gap in right center field, scoring Herrera with the game winning run.
The Yard Goats continue a five game in four day series and against the Harrisburg Senators with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon (1:05 PM). LHP Carlos Hernandez and RHP Konner Wade will start for the Yard Goats. The game will be broadcast live on News Radio 1410 WPOP.