EL1 Harrisburg Senators

Hernandez Homers for Fourth Straight Game in 3-2 Loss

Published on May 2, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Harrisburg Senators News Release


The Hartford Yard Goats defeated the Harrisburg Senators 3-2 to capture the series on Wednesday afternoon at FNB Field. Yadiel Hernandez hit a home-run in his fourth consecutive game in the loss.

The Yard Goats scored the first run of the game in the second when Chris Rabago doubled home Omar Carrizales.

Hartford tacked on a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Wernes.

Estevez allowed the pair of runs along with five hits while striking out three and walking one across a season-high seven innings. The right-hander retired 13 batters in a row between the second and seventh innings.

"(Estevez) sprayed the fastball (early in the game) and had to rely on his breaking ball, which was good. He settled in and started throwing the ball down better," Senators manager Matt LeCroy. "He had some pretty easy innings and did a nice job keeping us in the ballgame."

After Yard Goats starter Peter Lambert tossed six shutout innings to start the game, the Senators came back to tie the game in the seventh. Yadiel Hernandez led off the frame with a solo home run to left, his fifth of the season. The Matanzas, Cuba native has now homered in four consecutive games.

"(Hernandez) was our best hitter at the end of last year. He's a veteran guy that just hasn't played a lot of ball (in the United States)," LeCroy said. "That's his bread and butter, the opposite field. Hopefully he can continue to do well."

The Senators continued the rally when Taylor Gushue singled and one batter later Kelvin Gutierrez hit an RBI double into left-center field to knot the game at 2-2.

Lambert allowed two runs on six hits across seven innings.

Hartford retook the lead in the ninth against reliever Austen Williams. Sam Hilliard doubled to lead off the inning, and after a sacrifice bunt advanced him to third, Wernes hit another sacrifice fly to put the Yard Goats ahead 3-2.

Matt Pierpont retired the side in order in the ninth to cement the 3-2 victory.

Williams (0-1) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in two innings of relief. Pierpont (0-1) earned the win by pitching a two scoreless innings to close the ballgame.

Taylor Gushue finished with a pair of hits and was the only Senators with multiple hits.

"The eighth and ninth innings have been our Achilles heel. We tend to make things a lot closer than they are because we elevate the ball," LeCroy said. "No (Senators pitcher) has been able to take (the ninth inning) and say it's mine. We need that. That's important, to be able to finish ballgames and keep your team in it when it's tied."

The Senators begin a six-game road trip beginning Thursday night against the Trenton Thunder. Brady Dragmire starts for the Senators opposite Trenton starter Will Carter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at ARM & HAMMER Park.

Check out the Harrisburg Senators Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from May 2, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central