SeaWolves Take Series Opener with Comeback Victory in Hartford

HARTFORD, CT - The Erie SeaWolves (27-13, 63-45) overcame a slow start with five runs between the sixth and seventh innings to open the series against the Hartford Yard Goats (15-25, 54-54) with a 5-2 win on Tuesday night at Dunkin' Park.

Colin Fields started for the SeaWolves as a Tuesday opener for the second week in a row and continued to flash strikeout stuff with a pair of punchouts in his two innings of work. Fields surrendered just a single run after Braylen Wimmer led off the second inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Hartford extended its lead in the fourth inning with singles from Andy Perez, Wimmer and Mike Antico against Yosber Sanchez in his second inning of relief.

Erie's offense mustered one hit through the first five innings against Sam Weatherly (two hitless innings) and Cade Denton, but the SeaWolves bats came roaring to life in the sixth. Peyton Graham was hit by a pitch, and Woody Hadeen followed with a double in his Double-A debut to wake things up. Zyhir Hope brought across the first run of Erie's night with an RBI groundout. After Thayron Liranzo worked a two-out walk, Andrew Jenkins retook his lead atop the Eastern League RBI leaderboards with a go-ahead double into the gap in right-center.

The SeaWolves took advantage of the momentum in the seventh as Roberto Campos singled to start the seventh and scored one of two runs in the inning after Hartford shortstop Andy Perez tossed the ball into right field in an attempt at a double play. Seth Stephenson scored the other on an RBI groundout from Hadeen to push the Erie lead to 5-2.

Hayden Minton made his first appearance out of the SeaWolves bullpen and delivered two scoreless innings with a strikeout. Marco Jimenez, Zane Barnhart and Tanner Kohlhepp also posted scoreless outings in relief to secure a series-opening win.

Erie closes the night with a 5-game lead in the Eastern League Southwest Division second-half standings with the win and a Chesapeake loss. The SeaWolves are back in action Wednesday with left-hander Joe Miller set to return from the injured list and make his first start for Erie since early June. Konnor Eaton gets the ball for the Yard Goats with first pitch set for 7:10 PM.

Single-game tickets, suites, picnics, The Club by Synchrony events, and Bud Light Party Deck groups are now available by visiting SeaWolves.com, calling 814-456-1300, or visiting the UPMC Park Box Office in person.