Yard Goats Win in Extras

Final: Hartford 3, Portland 2

WP: Gavin Hollowell (3-0)

LP: Brendan Nail (1-1)

T- 2:47

A- 5,807

The Hartford Yard Goats defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 3-2 in 11 innings on Thursday night at Dunkin' Donuts Park. Isaac Collins scored the game winning run after a bunt by Jimmy Herron was thrown away, lifting the Yard Goats to their sixth win on the current homestand. Hartford trailed 2-1 in the seventh inning until Brenton Doyle cranked a solo home run into the right field porch seats. The Yard Goats have won 8 of their last 11 games.

Hartford's RHP Karl Kauffmann and Portland's LHP Jay Groome were flawless through the first three innings allowing just one hit combined. Portland got on the board in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run home run to left field by RF Pedro Castellanos, his second of the season. The Sea Dogs threatened to add to their lead in the fourth with two more base hits but Kauffmann struck out Hudson Potts to escape the jam.

Yard Goats C Willie MacIver tallied the first hit for Hartford in the bottom of the fifth on a one-out double past the diving reach of the Sea Dogs third baseman. MacIver stole third and scored on an RBI groundout by Hartford RF Niko Decolati cutting Portland's lead in half 2-1. Kauffmann worked five innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven.

Hartford's bullpen combination of Fineas Del Bonta-Smith and PJ Poulin kept the Sea Dogs off the board through the seventh inning. The Yard Goats tied the game seventh on a solo shot by CF Brenton Doyle into the right field seats, his third home run this year.

The Sea Dogs threatened in the top of the ninth as 1B Tyreque Reed lined a single into center field. Hartford shut down the threat immediately, turning a tailor-made 6-4-3 double-play. The Yard Goats put pressure on the Sea Dogs in the ninth as SS Ezequiel Tovar led off with a walk. 1B Michael Toglia lined a single into right field that was bobbled by the Sea Dogs. Tovar's attempt to score and win the game was unsuccessful after a good relay by Portland throwing Hartford's shortstop out at the plate.

Yard Goats pitcher Gavin Hollowell slammed the door in the top of the tenth inning, retiring the Sea Dogs in order. Hartford was unable to score in the bottom of the frame, sending the game to the eleventh. In the top of the eleventh, Hollowell made a spectacular snag on a line drive right back to the pitcher that knocked him down. Quickly getting back on his feet, the Yard Goats reliever rifled a strike to second base to double-off the runner.

The Yard Goats continue their homestand against the Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs on Friday night at 7:05. RHP Mitch Kilkenny will start for the Yard Goats and LHP Chris Murphy will start for the Sea Dogs. The two squads will play three more times this week, with the series concluding on Sunday afternoon.