EL Erie SeaWolves

Playoff-Bound Erie Walked off Via Home Run

Published on June 24, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Erie SeaWolves News Release


A night after Erie clinched a first-half division title, the SeaWolves fell to Hartford 5-4 via a walk-off home run.

Erie started the scoring early against Hartford starter Gabriel Hughes in the first inning. Chris Meyers smashed an RBI double. Diego Rincones followed with a sacrifice fly and Erie led 2-0 in the first frame.

Julio Rodriguez blasted a solo home run in the second inning, his second homer of the series, in the second inning. Erie led 3-0.

Lael Lockhart started for Erie and pitched well. He retired the first 11 batters he faced before Grant Lavigne's two-out double in the fourth inning. He allowed a solo home run hit by Yanquiel Fernandez in the fifth inning, making Erie's lead 3-1. Lockhart struck out a career-high nine batters over his five frames.

Chavez Fernander relieved Lockhart and threw a perfect sixth with two strikeouts. However, he could not get an out in the seventh. A walk, double, and Fernandez RBI single began the frame, knocking him out of the game. Tim Naughton entered. He walked his first batter to load the bases. Julio Carreras then grounded into a double play which tied the game at three. Braxton Fulford came through with a two-out double to score the go-ahead run.

Erie tied the game in the eighth inning on an controversial sequence. With second and third and one out, Diego Rincones popped out in foul territory to the catcher Fulford. Fulford caught the ball against the protective netting behind home plate, but was ruled by the umpires to have left the field of play with the ball after the catch, allowing the runners to advance and tying the game. Hartford manager Chris Denorfia was ejected while arguing the play.

Blake Holub relieved for Erie beginning the ninth and surrendered a home run to Kyle Datres, the second batter he faced. Erie suffered its second walk-off loss via a home run in the last three games.

Erie and Hartford conclude the series on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Michael Bienlien will start for Erie opposed by Andrew Quezada.

Check out the Erie SeaWolves Statistics

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



Eastern League Stories from June 24, 2023


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