Weatherly Delivers Season High Seven Strikeouts in Hartford Loss
WP- Kenny Serwa (6-8)
LP- Cade Denton (3-7)
S: Tyler Owens (4)
Hartford, CT - The Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Detroit Tigers affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves, 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin’ Park. It was Hartford’s third straight one-run loss. Thayron Liranzo homered, and Zhhir Hope had a two-run single helping Erie build a 4-0 lead before the Yard Goats rallied late. Cole Messina cranked a two-run homer in the ninth inning to make it a 5-4 game but reliever Tyler Owens recorded the final out to secure the win for the visitors. Braylen Wimmer had two hits and scored two runs for the Yard Goats who continue their homestand on Tuesday (7:10 PM) against the New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.
Hartford left-hander Sam Weatherly got the start on the mound and fired three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while recording a season-high seven strikeouts. Weatherly retired nine of ten batters faced.
The SeaWolves jumped on the board first in the top of the fourth with a Thayron Liranzo solo homer, giving Erie a 1-0 lead against reliever Cade Denton.
In the fifth, the SeaWolves continued to swing the bats. Roberto Campos ripped a double into center field, followed by a single from Joe Campagna. Campos came around to score on a bloop single over Dyan Jorge’s head, extending Erie's lead to 2-0. Erie then put together a two-out rally. Seth Stephenson singled, Woody Hadeen drew a walk, and Zhyir Hope followed with a single to score both Campagna and Stephenson, giving the SeaWolves a 4-0 lead.
The Yard Goats scored their first run in the bottom of the seventh. Braylen Wimmer led off with a double and advanced to third on a groundout from Jack O’Dowd before scoring on a groundout from Cole Messina. Hartford cut the deficit to 4-1.
In the top of the ninth, Erie added another run to its lead. Patrick Lee drew a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout from Seth Stephenson before coming around to score on a single by Woody Hadeen. The SeaWolves made it a 5-1 game.
Hartford rallied in the bottom of the ninth. Jared Thomas led off with a walk before Braylen Wimmer singled to move Thomas to third. A wild pitch brought Thomas home to make it a 5-2 game. Cole Messina then launched a two-run home run to left field, bringing the Yard Goats within one at 5-4. However, Tyler Owens retired pinch hitter Andy Perez to end the game.
The Yard Goats return home this week, with a highly anticipated six-game series against the New York Yankees affiliate the Somerset Patriots beginning Tuesday night at 7:10. It’s True Crime Night and a giveaway night, the first 1,000 kids will receive a Pinestripe Yard Goats jersey. On the mound for Hartford will be the right-hander Konnor Eaton. The game will be televised on MiLB.TV and Bally Live, and broadcast on the free Audacy app.