GJ Hill Homers in Yard Goats Loss

2:35 AM UTC

GJ Hill Homers in Yard Goats Loss

WP- Tanner Kohlhepp (7-2)

LP- Bryson Hammer (0-1)

S: Wandission Charles (3)

Hartford, CT - The Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Erie SeaWolves 2-1 on Friday night at Dunkin’ Park. Yard Goats left-hander Bryson Hammer made his Dunkin' Park debut tossing 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and recording four strikeouts. Erie right-hander Lucas Elissalt made his Double-A debut, throwing 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine. The SeaWolves scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Woody Hadeen and a sacrifice fly from Payton Graham to take a 2-0 lead. Hartford responded in the bottom of the inning when GJ Hill launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 2-1. Hill had three hits in the game. The Yard Goats had several chances to score runs but went 0-10 with runners in scoring position and left 8 men on base. The bullpen of Davis Palermo and Hunter Mann fired 4.2 scoreless innings of relief.   

The game was scoreless through the first four innings before the SeaWolves scored in the fifth. Luke Shilger drew a walk before advancing to third on Joe Campanga’s double to left field. Patrick Lee and Woody Hadeen then drew back-to-back walks; Hadeen’s bases-loaded walk brought Shilger home. Payton Graham followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Campanga and giving Erie a 2-0 lead. 

The Yard Goats responded in the bottom of the fifth, when GJ Hill smashed a solo homer out of the ballpark, to cut the deficit 2-1. It was Hill’s 14th home run of the season. 

The Yard Goats have two games left in their six-game series against the Detroit Tigers affiliate the Erie SeaWolves. Hartford’s next game will be on Saturday at 6:10. It’s Los Chivos de Hartford Roberto Clemente Celebration, the first 1,000 fans will receive a special edition pinstripe hat. Be sure to stay following the last out there will be a firework show! The game will be televised on NESN+, MiLB.TV, Bally Live, and broadcast on the free Audacy app.