Simpson Homers and Doubles, Yard Goats Tie Season-High in Strikeouts, But Hartford Falls to Fightin Phils
August 3, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release
Hartford, CT- Colin Simpson homered and doubled, but the Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Reading Fightin Phils 5-4 on Thursday night in front of a sold-out Dunkin' Park. Hartford starter Joe Rock struck out eight batters for the third time in his last six starts as the Yard Goats pitching staff tied a season-high in strikeouts with 15. Hartford demonstrated its sharp eye throughout the game, walking a season-high nine times. Austin Kitchen, Stephen Jones, and Victor Vodnik came out of the Hartford bullpen, combining to give up just three hits in 4.2 innings while punching out seven in the process. Grant Lavinge lined a single into right field in the seventh inning to collect his seventh hit in his last nine contests. The Reading Fightin Phils combined for three home runs and six extra-base hits to earn the victory.
Reading established the early advantage in the second inning. After Rock retired the first five batters of the ball game, Pedro Martinez hit his fourth home of the campaign over the left field wall to provide the Fightin Phils with a 1-0 lead. Hartford used its keen eye to push across two runs in the bottom of the inning. Four walks including back-to-back bases-loaded walks and an error put the Yard Goats up a run after two frames.
Hartford extended its advantage to three in the fourth inning. After Julio Carreras reached base by way of another walk to begin the inning, Colin Simpson crushed his second home run in his last six contests into the right-field seats to give the Yard Goats a 4-1 lead. The Fightin Phils responded in the top of the fifth frame to put them back up by a run. Five hits including two a three-run home run by center fielder Madison Stokes to put Reading back into the lead 5-4.
The Yard Goats had two extra-base hits in the final two innings including a double by Jordan Beck in the bottom of the ninth frame.
The Yard Goats and Reading Fightin Phils will play the fourth game of a six-game series on Friday night (7:10 PM) at Dunkin' Park for Princess and Pirates Night. Connor Van Scoyoc takes the hill for the Yard Goats for his second start this season while Mike Abel grabs the ball for Reading seeking his third triumph of the campaign. Friday's game will be broadcast on AM 1410, FM 100.9 and on the iheart radio app.
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