A Hit Parade in Hartford as Yard Goats Breeze Past Sea Dogs
Final: Hartford 11, Portland 4 WP: Bush (2-2) LP: Walter (1-1) T- 2:43 A- 4,177 Hartford, Conn - The Yard Goats defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 11-4 thanks to a seven run second inning in the opener of a six-game series at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Tuesday night. Hartford’s Ezequiel
Final: Hartford 11, Portland 4
WP: Bush (2-2)
LP: Walter (1-1)
T- 2:43
A- 4,177
Hartford, Conn - The Yard Goats defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 11-4 thanks to a seven run second inning in the opener of a six-game series at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Tuesday night. Hartford’s Ezequiel Tovar hit his sixth home run of the season while Isaac Collins, Brenton Doyle and Aaron Schunk tallied two hits each. The Yard Goats improved to 16-12 overall, and 5-2 on the current homestand.
The Yard Goats came out firing on all cylinders, scoring three times in the bottom of the first inning. The inning began with a leadoff walk of Isaac Collins, the first walk issued by Sea Dogs pitcher Brandon Walter in 29 innings. Brenton Doyle blooped a two-run single into center field to get the Yard Goats in front 2-0. An error by the Sea Dogs extended Hartford's lead to 3-0.
Portland fought back in the top of the second with a Pedro Castellanos RBI single to center field cutting the Yard Goats lead to 3-1. Hartford countered with a knockout blow: a seven run second inning. The Yard Goats opened the frame with six consecutive hits including a home run by Ezequiel Tovar, his sixth of the season. Aaron Schunk drove Jameson Hannah in on an RBI triple that was laced into right center field. In total, eight different Yard Goats reached base in the inning en-route to a 10-1 lead.
The Yard Goats never looked back from there. Hartford’s starting pitcher Nick Bush was impressive on the mound, allowing just two earned runs through five and one-third innings while striking out four. Portland added one run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single from Christian Koss but Hartford got one back on a solo home run by Aaron Schunk, his third of the season.
The Yard Goats continue their homestand against the Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs on Wednesday night at 7:05. RHP Noah Davis will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Brayan Bello will start for the Sea Dogs. The two squads will battle it out five more times with the series concluding on Sunday afternoon.