Yard Goats’ eight-game winning streak snapped in loss to Portland

HARTFORD, July 27, 2022 – Five runs in the fifth and sixth inning lifted the Portland Sea Dogs to an 9-4 Eastern League win over the Hartford Yard Goats Tuesday night at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, snapping an eight-game winning streak for the Yard Goats.

Portland (45-47, 15-8 second half) had 11 hits to earn the win. Tyler Dearden was 2-for-5 with two RBI and a home run for the Sea Dogs, the Double A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox while catcher Stephen Scott was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a pair of doubles.

Boston infielder Christian Arroyo is playing with the Sea Dogs as part of his rehabilitation of an injury. As the designated hitter, Arroyo had a single and walked twice.

Hartford’s Willie MacIver extended his hitting streak to seven games and Daniel Montano launched a solo home run but it wasn’t enough to earn another win in front of a sellout crowd.

Portland got on the board in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Arroyo off Hartford starting pitcher Mitch Kilkenny.

The Yard Goats (57-34, 14-8) responded in the bottom of the frame. Michael Toglia’s single off Portland’s starter Brett Kennedy plated Hunter Stovall to tie the game 1-1.

Hartford grabbed the lead in the second inning. MacIver led off the bottom of the second with a double. Niko Decolati followed with a double of his own, scoring MacIver and giving the Yard Goats a 2-1 lead.

The Sea Dogs scored three times to grab the lead in the top of the third. The Yard Goats responded in the fourth on a solo blast by Montano, his eighth of the season, tying the game 4-4. Portland took the lead back 6-4 on a two-run homer by Tyler Dearden in the fifth. A homer by Nick Northcut in the sixth extended the Sea Dogs’ lead to 9-4.

The Yard Goats continue their homestand against Portland on Thursday night at 7:05. RHP Tony Locey will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Victor Santos will start for the Sea Dogs. Red Sox pitchers Matt Barnes and Rich Hill are on the Sea Dogs roster and will be getting some work in this series, which extends through Sunday at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

Portland (45-47)              103  023  000  — 9-11-1
Hartford (57-34)              120  100  000  — 4-8-2
WP: Kennedy (3-5), LP: Fennell (2-2)