Hamilton's Homer Lifts Portland Over Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut – David Hamilton crushed his fourth home run of the season, boosting the Portland Sea Dogs (15-17) to a 5-4 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (18-14) on Saturday at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, Connecticut. Runs came early for both teams, but it was the Sea Dogs
Hartford, Connecticut – David Hamilton crushed his fourth home run of the season, boosting the Portland Sea Dogs (15-17) to a 5-4 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (18-14) on Saturday at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, Connecticut.
Runs came early for both teams, but it was the Sea Dogs who got the scoring started in the top of the first against Yard Goats starter Mitch Kilkenny. With one out, Nick Sogard reached by single, and Devlin Granberg followed with a walk. Both advanced on a wild pitch, putting runners at second and third. Pedro Castellanos lined a base hit to left, driving in both, giving the Sea Dog the lead 2-0. Tyreque Reed brought in Castellanos with an RBI double, increasing their lead to 3-0.
The Yard Goats responded quickly in the bottom of the first against Sea Dogs starter Victor Santos. Isaac Collins led off with a double and advanced to third on a fly ball from Jameson Hannah. Michael Toglia grounded out, scoring Collins, getting Hartford on the board 3-1. Back-to-back doubles by Jimmy Herron and Willie MacIver produced another run, bringing the score to 3-2.
Portland’s offense resumed their hot start in the top of the second with Kilkenny still on the mound. After the first two batters went down in order, David Hamilton clubbed a home run to center. It was Hamilton’s fourth long ball of the season and gave the Sea Dogs a 4-2 lead.
The Sea Dogs added another run in the top of the fourth with a bases loaded walk from Nick Sogard, increasing their advantage to 5-2. The Yard Goats plated another run in the bottom of the sixth. Kyley Datres and Niko Decolati recorded back-to-back singles and Aaron Schunk brought in Datres with a double, making the score 5-3.
Hartford added their final run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Michael Toglia hit a solo homer, making the score 5-4. Andrew Politi recorded the final out immediately after, locking up a 5-4 win for the Sea Dogs.
Santos (3-3) tossed 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out three in his third win of the campaign. Kilkenny (1-5) hurled 2.0 innings, surrendering four runs on four hits, walking one and striking out two in his fifth loss of the season.
The Sea Dogs and Yard Goats play the finale of a six-game series on Sunday with a 1:05 PM first pitch. Portland sends LHP Brandon Walter (1-1, 2.97 ERA) to the bump against Hartford LHP Nick Bush (2-2, 4.80 ERA).