Goodman Homers & Datres Extends League Leading Hit Streak in Yard Goats' Loss
July 21, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release
Hartford, CT- Hunter Goodman hit his 21st home run of the season and Kyle Datres extended his hit streak to a league leading 12 games, but the Yard Goats fell to the Somerset Patriots 9-2 in front of a sellout on Friday night at Dunkin' Park in Hartford. Mike Ruff, Blake Goldsberry, and Adam McKillican had masterful performances on the mound, combining for six-and-a-third innings of relief while allowing just one run and three hits while striking out six Somerset batters. Yaniquiel Fernandez also had two hits and an RBI on the night.
The Patriots got off to a hot start, putting up two runs in the first inning. Jasson Dominguez bounced a ball on the ground to the left side, but a throwing error by the Yard Goats allowed him to reach second base safely. Next up to the plate was Tyler Hardman, who got an outside fastball and hit it to the opposite field, clearing the right field wall for a two-run home run. Hartford starter Joe Rock would immediately settle down, as he struck out the next two Somerset foes to send it to the bottom of the first inning with Hartford down 2-0.
Hartford responded quickly in the first inning. Grant Lavigne slashed a grounder to the left side of the infield, and a throwing error by the Patriots enabled him to get to second base on the play. Two batters later, Yaniquiel Fernandez smashed a wall-ball single off the wall in right field to bring in Lavigne. After one frame, the Yard Goats trailed 2-1.
Somerset struck again in the second inning, adding three more runs to their total. Ben Rice led off the inning by singling to left field, but once again, Rock was able to compose himself and strike out the next two Patriots batters. However, Somerset displayed some two-out magic. Max Burt doubled into the left field corner, and Rice brilliantly dodged the relay throw from Julio Carreras to score. The next batter, Trey Sweeney, singled to bring in Burt, and after advancing to second base on a wild throw, Dominguez singled him home to make it 5-1 Somerset after 2 frames.
In the third inning, the Patriots extended their lead with a leadoff home run to right center field off the bat of Elijah Dunham, thus giving Somerset a 6-1 advantage heading into the fourth inning.
The Yard Goats displayed their power in the bottom of the sixth inning. Leading off the inning and finding himself down 0-2 in the count, Hunter Goodman battled back by squaring up a changeup down-and-in, turning on it and cranking it over the left field wall for a solo blast. After six innings, the Patriots held onto a 6-2 lead.
Somerset continued to battle on offense and was rewarded in the eighth inning. Aaron Palensky began the inning with a single, which set up Josh Breaux, who pulled a 2-run home run to left field. Burt then walked before advancing to second on a balk and tagging up to third on a flyball to right field off the bat of Sweeney. With Dominguez up to bat, Burt crossed home plate thanks to a wild pitch from Hartford. Heading into the last inning-and-a-third, Somerset had a 9-2 advantage.
The Yard Goats and Somerset Patriots play the fifth game of a six-game series on Saturday night (6:10 PM) at Dunkin' Park. Andrew Quezada takes the hill for the Yard Goats after hurling three innings and giving up three earned runs while striking out one batter in his last start against the Erie SeaWolves. For Somerset, Richard Fitts toes the rubber looking to capture his fifth win of the season. Tomorrow's game will be broadcast on AM 1410, FM 100.9 and on the iheart radio app.
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