Ducks Put Heartbreak Loss on Goats
July 26, 2019 - Eastern League (EL1)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release
HARTFORD - Nelson Rodriguez's three-run double with two outs in the ninth inning, highlighted a dramatic comeback and lifted the Akron RubberDucks to an 8-5 win over the Hartford Yard Goats Friday night, before a capacity crowd of 6,850 at Dunkin' Donuts Park. Akron (12-24) has won all five meetings against the Yard Goats this season. Hartford has lost six of its last seven games. Akron's comeback spoiled a quality start by Hartford's Brandon Gold.
It was the 10th consecutive sellout and 32nd sellout of the season for Hartford in 48 dates. Last year the Yard Goats had 28 sellouts through 48 dates. Hartford has had 15 maximum crowds this season and has drawn 286,827.
The RubberDucks staged their comeback against Hartford closer Scott Griggs, who suffered his first loss as a Yard Goat in 80 appearances. With two outs and nobody on base in the ninth inning, Griggs walked Ernie Clement. Nolan Jones followed with a single and Trenton Brooks knocked in the tying run with a double into the right-field corner. After Connor Marabell was intentionally walked, Rodriguez cleared the bases with a double into the left-field corner.
The Yard Goats jumped out to a 4-0 lead, helped by a three-run fourth inning. A sacrifice fly by Nelson Molina, Chris Rabago's RBI-single and a run-scoring two-bagger by Manny Melendez highlighted the frame.
Meanwhile, Gold was coasting along with two outs in the sixth, when the RubberDucks began to quack. Brooks roped a double into the right-field corner and Marabell followed with a two-run, opposite field homer to left, halving the advantage.
Hartford (15-20) tacked on an unearned run in the sixth, on Molina's single, a throwing error by reliever Jared Robinson, a wild pitch and Vance Vizcaino's sacrifice fly.
Gold was money in the bank for the Yard Goats. The right-hander pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out six with no walks. However, reliever Justin Lawrence started the seventh and loaded the bases on a walk and two hits, before Clement doubled into the right-field corner with one out, knocking in two runs. Rayan Gonzalez entered and retired the next two batters to pitch out of the jam, before Akron's ninth inning heroics.
Molina had a double, single, RBI and run scored to lead Hartford. Marabell had a homer, single and two RBI, Clement a double, single and two-RBI and Rodriguez a three-run double to highlight Akron's attack.
Robinson hurled three scoreless innings to nail down his first win, while Dalbert Siri pitched the ninth for his fourth save.
Game three of the four-game series is Saturday at 6:05 p.m. RHP Antonio Santos will make his Dunkin' Donuts debut for the Yard Goats, while RHP Jordan Stephens will pitch for Akron. The game will be broadcast on News Radio 1410 AM, on 100.9 FM, in Spanish on 1120 AM and on the Internet on newsradio1410.iheart.com and on MiLB.com. A fireworks display follows the game.
Akron 8-12-1Hartford 5- 8-1
WP- Jared Robinson (1-2)
LP- Scott Griggs (1-1)
S- Dalbert Siri (7)
T- 2:56
A- 6,850
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