Goodman, Veen Each Grab Two RBI in Yard Goats’ 5-4 Win

Final: Hartford 5, Reading 4

WP- Adam McKillican (2-0)

LP- Andrew Schultz (0-3)

S- Dugan Darnell (3)

T- 2:24

Hartford, CT- Hunter Goodman and Zac Veen continued their strong homestands by grabbing two RBI apiece, as the Yard Goats defeated the Reading Rumble Ponies 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. Following a six RBI night on Saturday, Veen collected two hits, two stolen bases, and two RBI on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Goodman connected on a game-winning two RBI single just three days after cranking a walk off two-run shot against Reading on Thursday night. Hartford starter Nick Garcia also had an impressive day, throwing 6.2 innings and striking out four Reading foes while giving up four runs.

The scoring began with one-out in the top of the third inning, as Madison Stokes drove a ball to deep right center field over the head of Bladimir Restituyo and hustled around the basepath for a triple. After Garcia got the next batter to ground out thanks to a great diving stab by Warming Bernabel at third base, Johan Rojas pulled an RBI single into left field to give the Fightin Phils a 1-0 lead.

Like they did multiple times throughout the series, the Yard Goats responded instantly. In the bottom of the third inning, Ronaiker Palma legged out an infield single, and three batters later, Zac Veen lined an RBI double into the alley in right center field to drive home Palma and tie the score up at one.

The score would stay knotted at one until the end of the sixth inning, but the Fightin Phils added three runs in the top of the seventh inning. McCarthy Tatum reached first base on a fielder’s choice, bringing up Garrett Whitley, who stroked a single left field to put two runner on with two-outs. Stokes struck again, driving an RBI double to left field to score Tatum and put men on second and third. A walk by Wendell Rijo loaded the bases for Rojas, who yanked a two-RBI double down the left field line, making the score 4-1 Fightin Phils.

Once again, the Yard Goats’ response was immediate. A walk by Niko Decolati followed by back-to-back singles from Palma and Cristopher Navarro loaded the bases for the top of Hartford’s order in the bottom of the seventh inning. Restituyo extended his hitting streak to 14 games by roping an RBI single up the middle to score Decolati. A walk from Veen forced Palma home before slugger Hunter Goodman smacked a two-RBI single into center field to give Hartford a 5-4 advantage after seven innings.

Right-hander Dugan Darnell shut the door on the Fightin Phils offense in the late innings, as he tossed two scoreless innings of relief and striking out three Reading batters in the eighth and ninth innings to secure the victory for the Yard Goats.

The Yard Goats are on the road next week, starting the first game of a six-game series against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Tuesday night (6:05 PM) at Mirabito Stadium. Case Williams takes the mound for Hartford searching for his second win of 2023. For Binghamton, Dominic Hamel looks to earn his second consecutive victory after throwing five innings and giving up just one run in his last start against the Somerset Patriots. Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on AM 1410, FM 100.9 and on the iheart radio app.