EL Hartford Yard Goats

Yard Goats' Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short Against Reading

August 5, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release


Hartford, CT- The Hartford Yard Goats rallied late in the ninth inning to push across two runs but ultimately fell short 8-6 to the Reading Fightin Phils on Saturday night in front of the 14th straight sell-out crowd at Dunkin' Park. A Yanquiel Fernandez double, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch were catalysts to the late-inning revival by Hartford. Seven out of the nine Yard Goats racked up a hit including first baseman Grant Lavigne who had three on the night. Bladimir Restituyo smashed a home run in the eighth inning, hitting his fourth long ball of the season at Dunkin' Park. Reading collected seven extra-base hits and four home runs including two by Jhailyn Ortiz to clinch the victory.

The Fightin Phils wasted no time, pushing across a run in the first inning. Matthew Kroon led the game off with a home run, depositing the first pitch of the contest into the right field seats off Hartford starter Tanner Gordon. Two successive hits followed by an Ortiz two-run home run over the left field wall pushed Reading's advantage to four in the top of the third frame.

Two innings later, the Fightin Phils continued their hot hitting from the plate, piling up another three runs. With two men on and two out, right fielder Ortiz hit his second three-run home run of the contest, scoring both Oliver Dunn and Ethan Wilson with a 437-foot blast. After five innings, Reading led the Yard Goats 7-0.

Hartford got on the board for the first time in the sixth inning, using a team effort to accumulate two runs. With one out, Grant Lavinge lined his third single into the outfield grass. The first baseman passed the baton to Warming Bernabel who laced a single of his own into a gap out in left field. Drew Romo came up next, reaching by way of a fielder's choice, giving way to Resitiuyo with the bases loaded as a Reading infield error allowed Bernabel and Lavigne to move up a base safely. Restituyo hit a deep fly back into the warning track out in left field, scoring Lavigne on a sacrifice fly. Niko Decolati followed the Hartford center fielder, hustling down the first base line for an infield single to earn the Yard Goats their second run of the ballgame.

Reading showed even more offensive power, responding to Hartford's two runs. First baseman Carlos De La Cruz led the seventh inning off with a solo home run, good for the Fightin Phils' fourth long ball of the game.

The Yard Goats cut the Reading advantage to four in the bottom of the eighth frame through a two-out rally. Drew Romo doubled to right, setting up Restitiuyo with a man in scoring position. The center fielder crushed his 10th home run of the 2023 campaign over the left field wall.

Hartford reliever Mike Ruff kept the red-hot Reading offense quiet late. The right-hander allowed just one base runner in the final two innings while striking out four in the process.

The Yard Goats put pressure on in the bottom of the ninth. After Jordan Beck worked a walk, Yanquiel Fernandez lined a double down the right-field line to put two men in scoring position. Lavigne reached base for the fourth time of the night, loading the bases for Bernabel. Reading reliever Andrew Baker hit the Yard Goats' third baseman and walked Drew Romo to make the final score 8-6.

The Yard Goats and Reading Fightin Phils will play the final game of this six-game series on Sunday afternoon (1:10 PM) at Dunkin' Park for Home Runs for Heroes Day. Andrew Quezada takes the hill for the Yard Goats for his 14th start of the campaign. For Reading, Zach Haake toes the rubber looking for his first win with the Fightin Phils in 2023. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410, FM 100.9 and on the iheart radio app.

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