Ryan McMahon Homers Yard Goats to Victory
Richmond, VA- The Hartford Yard Goats (73-62) defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels (58-78) in 11 innings by the score of 3-2 on Wednesday night in the third of a four game series at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia. Yard Goats 3B Ryan McMahon belted an opposite field solo home run in the 11th inning to lead Hartford to an extra inning victory. The homer came off Wallingford, Connecticut native Tyler Mizenko. The win helped the Yard Goats avoid a third straight loss. Yard Goats reliever Matt Pierpont retired six of seven batters faced to earn the win.
Yard Goats OF Rosell Herrera ripped a two out single to centerfield scoring Noel Cuevas and Dillon Thomas for Hartford's first runs in 29 innings, giving the Yard Goats a 2-0 lead. However, Richmond tied the game with a pair of runs in the ninth inning, including a game tying hit with two outs by Tyler Horan. Hartford starting pitcher Sam Howard hurled seven scoreless innings with a walk and five strikeouts.
Both starting pitchers were impressive and the game was scoreless after seven innings. Yard Goats starter Sam Howard was terrific and hurled seven scoreless innings and left a 0-0 game. Howard allowed seven singles, walked one and struck out five in his no decision. Flying Squirrels starter Matt Gage did not allow a hit until the seventh inning when Ryan McMahon singled. He hurled seven scoreless and permitted just one hit with no walks and nine strikeouts.
The Yard Goats scored twice in the eighth inning to take a 2-0 lead against reliever Carlos Alvarado. Wilson Soriano cracked a one out single followed by a single by Noel Cuevas. With runners at first and second base, Dillon Thomas ripped a hit into centerfield and Soriano tried to score but was thrown out at the plate by CF Steven Duggar with catcher Jeff Arnold applying the tag. However, Rosell Herrera would follow with a single to center and Cuevas and Thomas both score, giving Hartford a 2-0 lead. The two out hit ended Hartford's drought of 28 consecutive innings without a run.
The Flying Squirrels scored two runs off reliever Jerry Vasto in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Christian Arroyo's single scored Darin Ford to make it 2-1 and Tyler Horin followed with a two out single scoring Steven Duggar and tied the game at 2-2.
In the 11th inning, Hartford's Ryan McMahon blasted a solo home run over the left field fence, his 12 homer of the season, giving the Yard Goats a 3-2 lead. Matt Pierpont pitched around a two out single in the bottom of the frame for the win.
The Yard Goats wrap up a four game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday night (7:05 PM) at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia. LHP Carlos Hernandez will pitch for the Yard Goats. The game will be broadcast live on News Radio 1410 WPOP.