Yard Goats Rally Falls Short in One-Run Loss 

Portland 6, Hartford 5

WP- Matthew Kent (2-0)

LP- Frank Duncan (0-1)

S- Jose Adames (2)

T-2:54

A-2,960

Hartford, CT- The Hartford Yard Goats rally fell short on Wednesday night in a 6-5 loss to the Portland Sea Dogs. Trailing 6-2 late in the game, Hartford scored a pair of runs in the eighth inning and one run in the ninth to make it 6-5. However, Sea Dogs closer Jose Adames retired the final batter with runners at first and third base as Portland improved to 7-2 with the victory. Red Sox top prospect Triston Casas cranked a three-run home run in the fifth inning, his third in the last two games. Coco Montes had three hits for the Yard Goats who fell to 2-7 on the young season.

The Yard Goats took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the second inning. Outfielder Manny Melendez cracked a double down the right field line scoring Todd Czinege and second baseman Matt McLaughlin singled home Javier Guevara to give the Yard Goats the edge.

After retiring seven consecutive batters, Hartford starter Frank Duncan surrendered a solo home run to Sea Dogs catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, which tied the game 2-2 in the fourth inning. Portland starter Thad Ward retired seven of the final eight batters faced and finished with seven strikeouts over four innings.

The Sea Dogs scored four times in the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Triston Casas into the second deck in right centerfield. Hartford relievers Brian Gonzalez, Tate Scioneaux, and Tommy Doyle hurled four scoreless innings.

The Yard Goats made it a 6-4 game with two runs in the eighth inning off reliever Matthew Kent. Coco Montes singled home Elehuris Montero and Taylor Snyder sacrifice fly plated Sean Bouchard. Jose Adames came in to get the final out with a runner at second base. Hartford added a run in the ninth inning on Montero’s sac fly to make it 6-5. However, Adames struck out Sean Bouchard to end the game with runners at first and third base.

The Yard Goats continue their first homestand on Friday night (7:05 PM) against the Boston Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs. RHP Matt Dennis will pitch for Hartford while RHP Kutter Crawford will start for Portland. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and FM 100.9 FM and newsradio1410.iheart.com.