Yard Goats Walk-Off Sea Dogs in 5-4 Victory

Hartford 5, Portland 4

WP- Yoan Aybar (1-1)

LP- Dominic LoBrutto

S-

T-2:46

A-2,963

Hartford, CT- The Hartford Yard Goats scored three runs in the ninth inning to come from behind and beat the Portland Sea Dogs on Friday night at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. Coco Montes smashed a two-run double to left centerfield scoring Matt McLaughlin and Max George, lifting the Yard Goats to their second win in four games against first-place Portland. The Yard Goats were down to their final out and trailing 4-2 when Max George made it 4-3 with an infield single. Todd Czinege followed with a pinch-hit walk which loaded the bases for Montes game winning walk-off hit off Sea Dogs reliever Dominic LoBrutto.

The Yard Goats took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Elehuris Montero’s solo home run which landed in the visitors’ bullpen. Montero now leads the Double-A Northeast with 14 RBI. The Sea Dogs responded with three runs in the third inning with three consecutive singles, bases loaded walk, RBI single, and sacrifice fly off Hartford starter Matt Dennis. Dennis was solid and allowed just three runs in six innings with a walk and four strikeouts.

Hartford’s bullpen of Reagan Todd, Julilan Fernandez, and Yoan Aybar surrendered just one run over the final three innings to keep it close. Aybar earned his first Double-A win in relief. Outfielder Matt Hearn had two hits and an RBI for the Yard Goats. Grand Williams had four hits and scored twice for Portland.

The Yard Goats continue their first homestand on Saturday night (6:05 PM) against the Boston Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs. Rockies pitching prospect and first round pick LHP Ryan Rolison will start for the Yard Goats while RHP AJ Politi will start for the Sea Dogs. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and FM 100.9 FM and newsradio1410.iheart.com.