Goats Take It to the Matt, as Attendance Record Falls

June 3, 2018 - Eastern League (EL1)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release

HARTFORD- Yard Goats closer Matt Pierpont picked up his EL-leading 15th save, as the Hartford Yard Goats downed the Altoona Curve, 8-5, Sunday afternoon, before a capacity crowd of 6,850.  Hartford (28-29) took two out of three from Altoona (26-26) to win its first series in nearly two weeks.   Meanwhile, a new weekend attendance mark was established at Dunkin' Donuts Park, as three straight standing room only crowds attracted a record 20,550.  It was also the fifth standing room only crowd for the season and the 15th sellout.  The Yard Goats have drawn 179,139 so far in 2018.

The Yard Goats led 8-1 after six innings, before Altoona started pecking away with two runs in the seventh and two in the eighth off of Hartford relievers Sean Nolin and Scott Griggs.   With the Curve's leader in RBI Will Craig at the plate as the tying run, Pierpont was summoned.  He struck out Craig looking and hurled a perfect ninth, to preserve Chris Jensen's first victory as a Yard Goat.  Pierpont has now converted on his last 10 save opportunities and has not allowed a run in his last eight appearances, covering 9 1/3 innings.

Jensen, who had been roughed up in his previous starts, hurled five effective innings, allowing one run on seven hits.  He walked two and struck out five. The right hander needed to pitch out of a bases loaded one out jam in the fifth inning, to earn the win.

Ryan Metzler led the Yard Goats attack with a double, two singles and two RBI.  Dom Nunez and Nelson Molina each had two hits and an RBI, as Hartford had double digits in hits for the second straight game.

The Yard Goats open a six-game road trip at Erie on Tuesday night at 7:05.  LHP Jack Wynkoop will pitch for Hartford.  Erie's starting pitcher has yet to be determined.  The game will be broadcast on AM 1410 WPOP and streamed on newsradio.1410.com and MiLB.com.

Altoona     5-11-2

Hartford    8-10-2

WP: Chris Jensen (2-1)

LP: Pedro Vasquez (0-3)

S:  Matt Pierpont (15)

T- 3:15

A- 6,850

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Eastern League Stories from June 3, 2018

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