Yard Goats Win One-Run Game 6-5

Yard Goats Win One-Run Game 6-5

Final: Hartford 6, Somerset 5

WP: Brendan Hardy (1-0)

LP: Zach Messinger (0-1)

S: Jaden Hill (2)

T: 2:52

Somerset, NJ- The Hartford Yard Goats stretched their win streak to four consecutive games with a 6-5 victory over the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday night at TD Bank Ballpark in Somerset, New Jersey. Zach Kokoska drove in a pair of runs, and reliever Jaden Hill struck out the final batter with a runner on base, helping the Yard Goats to the best 9-game start in franchise history at 7-2. Hartford is in first place in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division. Benny Montgomery had a double to extend his hit-streak to seven games.

Yanquiel Fernandez led off the second inning with a double against Somerset starter Zach Messinger. Later in the inning, Zach Kokoska ripped a two-out RBI single to center field, scoring Kokoska, giving Hartford a 1-0 lead.

The Yard Goats added a pair of runs to go up 3-0 in the third inning. Fernandez drove in Adael Amador with a sacrifice fly and Sterlin Thompson scored on a wild pitch.

Somerset got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Agustin Ramirez cranked a solo home run off Hartford starter Mason Albright. The Yard Goats went ahead 5-1 with two more runs in the fourth inning. Braxton Fulford tripled home Kokoska and he later scored on an infield grounder.

The Patriots scored single runs in the third through sixth innings, and made it a 6-4 game on Ben Rice’s solo homer in the sixth. The Yankees affiliate scored a run in the ninth inning on Ben Rice's RBI single to make it 6-5. However, Jaden Hill struck out Ben Cowles to end the game with Rice at first base.

The Yard Goats continue the series against the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night at 6:35 PM. RHP Connor Van Scoyoc will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Bailey Deeds will pitch for the Patriots. The broadcast can be heard on the free audacy app and Yard Goats website starting at 6:20 with the pregame show. The video stream will be available on MLB.TV and MiLB.TV and the Ballys Live App. The Yard Goats return to Dunkin’ Park in Hartford for a six-game homestand starting next Tuesday, April 23^rd and will host the Red Sox affiliate, Portland Sea Dogs.