Trenton 3-7-2Hartford 6-8-0WP: Frank Duncan (2-2)LP: Brian Keller (8-8)S: Mitch Horacek (1)HR: Ramos (10), Bednar (4)T- 2:32A- 6,850
Trenton 3-7-2
Hartford 6-8-0
WP: Frank Duncan (2-2)
LP: Brian Keller (8-8)
S: Mitch Horacek (1)
HR: Ramos (10), Bednar (4)
T- 2:32
A- 6,850
HARTFORD- Roberto Ramos slugged a tape-measure three-run homer and pitcher Frank Duncan turned in a quality start, but it was Mitch Horacek who saved the day, as the Hartford Yard Goats downed the Trenton Thunder Saturday night, 6-3, before a capacity crowd of 6,850. It was Hartford's 35th sellout of the year. The Yard Goats, who snapped a three-game losing streak, have now drawn 327,062, the most of any Eastern League club. Second place Trenton (62-49) made it interesting in the ninth inning, scoring a run and loading bases, before lefty Mitch Horacek entered to retire Bruce Caldwell on a fly out to left to notch the first save of his six-year professional career.
Ramos thrilled the 17th capacity crowd of the season with his 10th home run into the upper deck in right-center that almost left the entire ballpark. It came in the fifth inning off the reigning EL Pitcher of the Week Brian Keller, who lasted five innings, allowing five runs - four earned - on six hits. He walked four and struck out seven.
Duncan, who improved to 2-2, pitched a season-high six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out one.
The Yankees affiliate jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on consecutive two-out doubles by Trey Amburgey, Brandon Wagner and Mandy Alvarez, before Duncan settled in and allowed the Thunder only two hits over the next five innings. Ramos scored the Yard Goats first run in the second inning on a passed ball and tied the contest in the fourth inning on a disputed sacrifice fly to right field by Brandon Bednar, that led to the ejection of Trenton catcher Jorge Saez. That set the stage for the dramatic two-run homer by Ramos in the fifth inning.
In addition to Ramos' three-run shot, Bednar had two RBI, including a solo home run in the eighth inning. Brian Mundell also added two hits to pace Hartford (52-58). Mandy Alvarez had three hits and an RBI for Trenton.
The rubber game of the three-game set and brief home stand wrap up Sunday afternoon at 5:05. RHP Ryan Castellani will pitch for the Yard Goats and RHP Alexander Vargan for Trenton. The game will be televised on Vantage Sportsnet, broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and streamed on newsradio1410.iheart.com and MiLB.com.
