Farm Report: Hartford Doubles Its Pleasure in What Has Been Challenging Season
The Rockies Double-A affiliate Hartford has faced challenges this season. On Wednesday, however, the Yard Goats (12-26) had reason to celebrate. They (12-26) swept a doubleheader from Blue Jays affiliate New Hampshire (14-23). It is only the third time this season that Hartford had back-to-back wins.
In addition to the 6-3, 8-7 victories at New Hampshire, which included completion of a Tuesday game that was stopped in the bottom of the first because of rain, the Yard Goats won two in a row against Bowie June 5-6, and three in a row against Portland May 14-16.
Hartford won the completion of Game 1, 6-3, using six relief pitchers. Garrett Schilling, the scheduled starter, was held back after warming up and being ready to pitch on Tuesday. Yoan Aybar (3.78) earned his second save.
Hartford took charge of Game 1 with a two-out, three run rally in the fifth. Matt McLaughlin (.224) single home a run followed by Sean Bouchard (.267) delivering an RBI-double, and Taylor Snyder (.276) driving in two runs with a single.
In Game 2, reliever Regan Todd (2-1, 4.35) was credited with the win. Will Gaddis (8.31) started and allowed four runs on five hits, striking out two. Hartford scored four times in the first when Snyder extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a run-scoring double. Willie Abreu (.240) followed with a three-run home run.
The Yard Goats’ rebounded from a 7-4 deficit to tie the game with a three-run sixth inning on RBI singles from Manny Melendez (.224) and L.J. Hatch (.222), and a wild pitch.
And Elehuris Montero (.198) delivered the game-winning single in the ninth.
Around the rest of the Rockies farm system:
AAA Albuquerque (12-24) opens a six-game series at Diamondbacks affiliate Reno (23-13) Thursday.
High A Spokane (16-22) won 4-2 at Tri City (13-24). Mitchell Kilkenny (0.00) worked six shutout innings, giving up a single and a double, but had a no-decision in his Indians debut. Kilkenny was promoted from Low-A Fresno, where he was 3-2 with a 1.45 ERA. P.J. Poulin (1-0, 1.45) worked two shutout innings in relief, striking out two, to earn the win. Niko Decolati (.208) tripled home two runs, Aaron Schunk (.245) singled home a run, and Michael Toglia (.197) unloaded his 10th home run.
Low A Fresno (25-13) lost 11-6 against A’s affiliate Stockton (14-24), ending the Grizzlies’ seven-game home winning streak. Anderson Amarista (0-1, 10.80) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out two, in his 2021 debut. Drew Romo (.307) was 3-for-3 with a home run, double, and walk. He scored three runs and drove in one run.