Yard Goats Victorious on Fourth of July

July 4, 2019
Final: Hartford Yard Goats 2, Trenton Thunder 1
WP: Rayan González (2-1)
LP: Rony Garcia (1-7)
SV: Scott Griggs (2)
T: 6,924
ATT: 2:26

Yard Goats Victorious on Fourth of July
Trenton, NJ- The Hartford Yard Goats opened up their Fourth of July Weekend with a 2-1 victory against the Trenton Thunder at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, New Jersey on Thursday night. Hartford starter Brandon Gold and relievers Mitch Horacek, Rayan González and Scott Griggs limited the Thunder to just one run as the Yard Goats won consecutive games for the first time in July. Outfielder Manny Melendez ripped a two-out opposite field single in the eighth inning scoring Brian Serven who had doubled, and gave the Yard Goats their first lead at 2-1. The Yard Goats are 3-1 against the Yankees affiliate this season.      
Trenton scored the first run of the game as Brandon Wagner led off the third inning with a home run over the right field fence off Hartford starter Brandon Gold. Gold had struck out the side in the previous inning. That home run turned out to be the only run of the game for the Thunder who has lost five-in-a-row.   
Rony Garcia retired the first nine Yard Goats until Manny Melendez led off the fourth inning with a single. Melendez advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Then with two outs, Eastern League All-Star selection Alan Trejo belted a single into left field, scoring Melendez from second and tying the game at 1-1.
Garcia was impressive and retired the side in order in five of the first six innings and permitted just two hits over seven frames. However, the Yard Goats put together another two-out rally in the eighth. Catcher Brian Serven laced a double to left center field to end the night for Garcia. Brooks Kriske came on to face Manny Melendez and the Hartford outfielder lined a single into left field to give the Yard Goats a 2-1 lead.
A night after Jack Wynkoop pitched the Yard Goats first ever nine inning complete-game shutout, Hartford's pitching was solid. Brandon Gold worked into the sixth inning and surrendered just one run. Mitch Horacek helped Gold out of a first and second jam in the sixth inning getting Brandon Wagner to ground out. Then, Rayan Gonzalez helped Horacek out of trouble in the seventh inning. Scott Griggs pitched around an error in the ninth inning to record his second save.    
The Yard Goats continue the four game series in Trenton, New Jersey on Friday night at 7:00PM. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and 100.9 FM and streamed on newsradio.1410.com and MiLB.com.