Three Homers Power Yard Goats In Win
WP- Jack Mahoney (7-1)
LP- Chris McElvain (3-7)
S: Sam Weatherly (1)
Hartford, CT - The Hartford Yard Goats defeated the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 10-5 in front of 6,104 fans on Thursday night at Dunkin’ Park. Jack Mahoney turned in another strong start to improve to 7-1 for the Yard Goats. He tossed six-innings while allowing six hits and one run while striking out six. He lowered his ERA to 1.99 over 13 starts, the best in franchise history. Mike Antico and GJ Hill each blasted two-run home runs in the fourth inning to give the Yard Goats a 6-1 lead. After the Fisher Cats rallied for four runs in the seventh to cut the deficit to one, Roc Riggio answered with a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning to help Hartford pull away for their 10-5 victory.
The Yard Goats struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Dyan Jorge reached base after being hit by a pitch, then stole second before Andy Perez lined a perfectly placed RBI single into the gap, scoring Jorge to give Hartford a 1-0 lead over New Hampshire.
In the top of the third the Fisher Cats answered when Hedbert Perez drove in Eddie Micheletti Jr. with an RBI double, tying the game at 1-1.
Hartford's offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth. Andy Perez led off with another sharp single to center before Braylen Wimmer ripped a double down the third-base line, moving Perez to third. After a lengthy at bat, Aidan Longwell lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Perez, giving the Yard Goats a 2-1 lead. Mike Antico wasted no time adding to the advantage, launching a 2-run home run to extend Hartford’s lead, 4-1. Cole Messina then ripped a double into center field, and GJ Hill then smashed his 11th home run of the season into the second deck scoring Messina and the Yard Goats went up 6-1.
New Hampshire mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh. Cutter Coffey scored on a Jacob Sharp fielder's choice before Arjun Nimmala added a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 6-3. Dub Gleed then launched a two-run homer to center, trimming Hartford's lead 6-5.
In the bottom of the seventh Hartford answered. Roc Riggio smashed a three-run home run, scoring Jared Thomas and Andy Perez to extend the Yard Goats’ lead to 9-5. Braylen Wimmer drew a walk and later came around to score on a bases loaded walk by GJ Hill, Yard Goats lead 10-5.
The Yard Goats will continue their six-game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate. Hartford’s next game will be a double-header on Friday beginning at 5pm. It’s the Whalers Alumni game and the Hartford Yard Goats will be taking the field in a special edition jersey. 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.