Nic Kent’s walk-off home run propels the Yard Goats past Portland

Nic Kent’s walk-off home run propels the Yard Goats past Portland

WP: McGowan (1-0)

LP: Cepeda (0-1)

Time: 2:39

Attendance: 7,532

Hartford, CT- In the bottom of the ninth with one out and two runners on base, Nic Kent smashed a walk-off three-run home run into the left field seats to give the Hartford Yard Goats a 6-4 victory over the Portland Sea Dogs in front of a sell-out crowd at Dunkin’ Park. It was the Yard Goats first walk-off win of the season. Hartford was held scoreless through the first six innings by Sea Dogs starter Angel Bastardo, but Warming Bernabel catapulted his team back into the game with a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Yard Goats relievers Seth Halvorsen and Bryce McGowan combined to pitch four scoreless innings while racking up seven strikeouts. The Yard Goats improved to 11-7 on the season and now sit in a two-way tie with the Sea Dogs atop the Eastern League’s Northeast Division.

The Sea Dogs got off to a fast start in the first inning. Marcelo Mayer reached on a fielder’s choice and Kyle Teel worked a walk. After a wild pitch from Yard Goats starter Andrew Quezada advanced the runners, Blaze Jordan drove in Marcelo Mayer with a sacrifice fly to give the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead. Kyle Teel scored from third base on a wild pitch from Quezada to put the Sea Dogs up 2-0.

The Sea Dogs added a run in the third inning as a Mayer infield single drove home Alex Binelas to make the score 3-0.

Matthew Lugo hit a solo home run to center field in the fifth inning to push the Sea Dogs lead to 4-0.

The Yard Goats threatened to score in the back half of the fifth as after a Zach Kokoska flyout, Bernabel singled and Ronaiker Palma doubled down the left field line. Bastardo continued his shutout as A.J. Lewis struck out and Nic Kent grounded to third to end the inning.

In the seventh inning Sea Dogs reliever Christopher Troye entered the game and walked Zac Veen and Kokoska to lead off the inning. Warming Bernabel stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run home run to bring the score to 4-3.

In the bottom of the ninth the Yard Goats capped off their comeback effort. Warming Bernabel worked a leadoff walk off Sea Dogs closer Felix Cepeda. Following a Palma strikeout, pinch hitter Yanquiel Fernandez was intentionally walked. Nic Kent then delivered with a three-run home to give the Yard Goats a 6-4 walk-off win.

The Yard Goats will wrap up their six-game series against the Red Sox Affiliate, The Portland Sea Dogs Sunday (1:10 PM) at Dunkin’ Park. LHP Mason Albright will start for the Yard Goats. RHP Wikelman Gonzalez will start for the Sea Dogs. The game will be broadcast on the free audacy app. The game will be streamed on MiLB TV.