Hunter Goodman Hits EL Leading 16th Homer and 50th RBI in Yard Goats Win

*Final: Hartford 7, Akron 5 *

WP: Evan Justice (3-0)

LP: Doug Nikhazy (1-2)

S: Michael Petersen (1)

Akron, OH- The Hartford Yard Goats defeated the Akron RubberDucks by the score of 7-5 in the first game of a six-game series on Tuesday night at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio. The Yard Goats scored a run in the first inning and never looked back, winning for the third time in four games. Grant Goodman blasted his Eastern League leading 16^th home run and 50^th RBI with a solo shot in the seventh inning. Hartford reliever Evan Justice pitched a perfect fifth inning to improve to 3-0 since joining the club earlier this month. This is the Yard Goats first visit to Ohio since June of 2019.

The Yard Goats took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Zac Veen cracked a two-out single off Akron starter Doug Nikhazy, scoring Bladimir Restituyo who led off the game with a double. Hartford added a pair of runs in the second inning on an RBI double by Niko Decolati, and a throwing error to make it 3-0.

The RubberDucks scored two runs in the third inning off Yard Goats starter Chris McMahon. After the right-hander retired the first two batters the Guardians affiliate put together a two-out rally with a double from Bryan Lavastida and a single from Juan Brito to make it 3-2. McMahon departed after four full innings with the Yard Goats leading 4-2.

The Yard Goats scored three runs in the seventh inning off Wallingford’s Zach Hart who pitched at Sheehan High School. The inning began with Hunter Goodman cranking a home run off the batters eye in center field. Later in the inning, Drew Romo contributed with a two-run single to make it 7-2.

Akron scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull within three. The RubberDucks made it 7-5 with a run in the ninth inning and had the bases loaded. However, Michael Petersen struck out Juan Brito to end the game for his first save.

The Yard Goats continue their two-city 12-game road trip on Wednesday night at 6:35, and play the second of a six-game series against the RubberDucks. RHP Nick Garcia will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Hunter Stanley will start for Akron. The game can be heard on AM 1410 WPOP, FM 100.9 and the iheart radio app. The Yard Goats return home to Dunkin’ Park on Tuesday, June 6th (7:10 PM), and host the New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, for a six-game series.