Yard Goats 9th Inning Rally Falls Short in Loss

June 8, 2018
Final: Altoona Curve 4, Hartford Yard Goats 3                                 
WP: Cam Vieaux (1-0)
LP: Jesus Tinoco (4-5)
SV: Tate Scioneaux (3)
T: 2:13
ATT: 4,512

Yard Goats 9^th Inning Rally Falls Short in Loss  
Altoona, PA- Erie, PA- The Altoona Curve defeated the Hartford Yard Goats by the score of 4-3 on Friday evening at People's Natural Gas Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Yard Goats infielder Brendan Rodgers smashed a two run homer in the 9^th inning to pull Hartford to within a run, but the rally fell short and the game ended with a runner at first base. Altoona Curve starter Cam Vieaux, allowed just one run over seven innings, and retired the final 15 batters faced, along with seven strikeouts to record the win in his Eastern League debut. Jason Martin cracked a two-run homer and Will Craig added a two-run double for the Curve who sent the Yard Goats to their fourth consecutive loss. Curve manager Michael Ryan was ejected in the 9^th inning when the umpires reversed a call on an infield single.   
The Curve took the lead in the first inning as Jason Martin cranked a two-run home run off Hartford starter Jesus Tinoco. Martin's eighth home run of the season sailed over the right field fence just out of reach of Yard Goats outfielder Myles Jones.
The Yard Goats made it a 2-1 game with a run in the second inning off Altoona starter Cam Vieaux, in his Eastern League debut.   Brian Mundell led off the frame with a single, and then Nelson Molina ripped a two out hit putting runners at first and second base. Mylz Jones followed with a liner to left scoring Mundell and making it 2-1. Molina was tagged out trying to get from second to third to end the inning.
Altoona added a pair of runs in the third inning on a two-run double by Will Craig making it 4-1 Curve. Craig's double was scalded down the left field line scoring Ke' Bryan Hayes who walked and Jason Martin who singled.
Wes Rodgers started the ninth inning with a leadoff triple against reliever Tate Scioneaux. Brendon Rodgers followed with a rocket home run into the left field bleachers, his 12^th of the season, making it a 4-3 game. Brian Mundell reached on an infield single with one out. The right-hander ended up retiring the final two batters as the Curve held on for the win.               
The Yard Goats continue the three-game weekend series against the Altoona Curve on Saturday night (6:00 PM) at People's Natural Gas Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania. RHP Peter Lambert will start for Hartford while RHP Pedro Vasquez will counter for Altoona. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and streamed on newsradio.1410.com and MiLB.com. The Yard Goats will return to Dunkin' Donuts Park for their next homestand next Tuesday vs Erie at 7:05 PM.