EL Hartford Yard Goats

Yard Goats' Rally Falls Short in Loss to Baysox

April 7, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Hartford Yard Goats News Release


Hartford, CT- First baseman Hunter Goodman put together another impressive performance by reaching base four times and collecting eight total bases, but the Yard Goats would lose their second consecutive game by a final score of 5-3 on Friday night at Dunkin' Park in Hartford. The Yard Goats squandered solid scoring opportunities in each of the first three innings, which proved to be too much to overcome.

The Baysox got on the board early in the top of the 1st inning. Gillispie walked the first two batters of the ballgame before throwing a wild pitch to the backstop, allowing both runners to advance. With men on second and third, Bowie third baseman Coby Mayo grounded out to Yard Goats shortstop Julio Carreras, which scored the first run of the contest. The next batter, second baseman Cesar Prieto, collected his first hit of the season, allowing Bowie designated hitter Heston Kjerstad to cross home plate and extend their lead to 2-0.

Bowie's 2-0 lead would remain until the top of the 4th inning. Yard Goats right-hander Fineas Del Bonta-Smith would come into relief, and after a scoreless 3rd inning, once again, the top of the Baysox lineup was tough to put away. Bowie right fielder Billy Cook reached base on a fielder's choice, and after walking Kjerstad and getting Mayo to pop out to Yard Goats catcher Connor Pavolony, Prieto amassed another RBI by roping an RBI double into the left field corner.

Despite the early deficit, the Yard Goats would show some resilience in the bottom of the 5th inning. Colorado Rockies #1 prospect and current Yard Goats right fielder Zac Veen hustled for triple after stinging a ball to the gap in right center field. The next batter, Hartford center fielder Bladimir Restituyo, drove in Veen, and the Yard Goats' first run of the season, by grounding out to third base. Two batters later, Yard Goats designated hitter Hunter Goodman continued his solid start to the 2023 campaign by smacking a no-doubter to deep left field, cutting Bowie's lead to 4-2.

Hartford's bullpen was able to settle down and stifle Bowie's offense for the remainder of the game. Right hander Michael Peterson had a stellar outing, striking out two Baysox hitters without allowing a hit in an inning of work. Fellow right hander Nick Kuzia would come in for the 6th and 7th inning, as he too did not allow a hit while striking out four Baysox sluggers. 25-year-old Adam McKillican would finish the game for the Yard Goats, as he allowed just one-hit, a home run to Mayo, and no walks while striking out one batter.

The Yard Goats would make the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth, beginning with a leadoff single from left fielder Colin Simpson. After advancing to second on a ground out, Simpson would score on a Restituyo ground rule double off the top of the left field wall, which narrowly missed being a home run. Bowie pitcher Nolan Hoffman would get designated hitter Grant Lavigne to ground out to first base, thus putting an end to the contest.

The Yard Goats and Baysox play the last game of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon (1:10 PM) at Dunkin' Park, and tickets are available. The game will be broadcast on AM 1410, FM 100.9 and on the iheart radio app.

Check out the Hartford Yard Goats Statistics



Eastern League Stories from April 7, 2023


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