Sterlin Thompson Amasses Two Hits, Two RBIs in Yard Goats' Loss
Published on August 15, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release
Hartford, CT- Sterlin Thompson, making his Dunkin' Park debut for the Yard Goats, contributed with two hits and two RBIs, but the Yard Goats fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7-3 on Tuesday night in Hartford. Colten Schmidt and Blake Goldsberry had strong performances out of the bullpen, combining for four innings of relief and five strikeouts while allowing just one hit and two walks.
The Yard Goats and Fisher Cats found themselves in a tightly contested battle through four innings. Hartford starter Joe Rock collected six strikeouts while allowing just one hit through four frames, and New Hampshire hurler Chad Dallas did not allow his first base runner of the game until there were two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. In the midst of a pitcher's duel, both teams were held scoreless heading into the fifth frame.
New Hampshire broke the tie in the fifth inning by putting three runs up on the scoreboard. Andres Sosa led off the inning with a single up the middle before Will Robertson doubled to the left field corner to put two runners in scoring position with no outs for the Fisher Cats. The next batter, Steward Berroa, hit a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Sosa. Stepping up to the dish next was Leo Jimenez, who singled to center field to bring home Robertson. Michael Turconi then worked a walk in front of Miguel Hiraldo, who singled up the middle to score Jimenez. After five innings, New Hampshire held onto a 3-0 advantage.
The Fisher Cats struck again in the sixth frame on the backs of three consecutive walks to begin the inning. Berroa walked into the batter's box with the bases loaded and no outs in the inning, and he delivered with a little help from the Yard Goats defense, as a Hartford fielding error allowed Rainer Nunez and Sosa to score before a throwing error let Berroa advance to second base. Now with runners at second and third with no outs, Jimenez hit a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Robertson and advancing Berro to third base. Then, Turconi chopped a ball to the right side to bring in Berroa and give New Hampshire a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth frame.
Hartford immediately responded in the sixth inning. Grant Lavigne and Jordan Beck worked back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Julio Carreras roped an RBI-double, which one-hopped the wall in the left field to drive in Lavigne and put two runners in scoring position with only one out. Sterlin Thompson was next, as he smoked a sharp one-hopper off the second baseman's glove and into center field, allowing both Beck and Carreras to score on the play. After six innings, the Yard Goats had trimmed New Hampshire's lead to 7-3.
The Yard Goats and New Hampshire Fisher Cats will play the second game of a six-game series on Wednesday night (7:10 PM) at Dunkin' Park. Connor Van Scoyoc will start for the Yard Goats, while Luis Quinones takes the ball for New Hampshire. Wednesday's game will be broadcast on AM 1410, FM 100.9 and on the iheart radio app.
Eastern League Stories from August 15, 2023
- Quantrill Strikes Out Four, Ball's Big Night Guides Akron to 4-2 Comeback Win - Akron RubberDucks
- Sterlin Thompson Amasses Two Hits, Two RBIs in Yard Goats' Loss - Hartford Yard Goats
- Akron's Late Runs Sink Erie in Rain-Soaked Opener - Erie SeaWolves
- Seventh Inning Homer Hurdles Somerset Over Reading - Reading Fightin Phils
- Sea Dogs Rumble for 9-6 Win Over Ponies - Portland Sea Dogs
- Perez's Pops Bury the Baysox - Altoona Curve
- Ponies Drop Series Opener to Portland - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Baysox' Momentum Derailed by Curve on Dreary Tuesday Night - Chesapeake Baysox
- Matheny Powers Pair of Homers in 5-4 Victory Over Harrisburg - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Senators Can't Complete Rally from 4-0 Hole - Harrisburg Senators
- August 15, 2023 Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
- Harrisburg Senators Game Information at Richmond - Harrisburg Senators
- RubberDucks Announce 2024 Game Dates; Home Opener Is Friday, April 5 at Canal Park - Akron RubberDucks
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.
