Michael Toglia’s go-ahead grand slam highlighted a six-run seventh inning, and every Yard Goats player reached base at least once as Hartford beat the visiting Harrisburg Senators 7-3 in front of a third straight sellout crowd Sunday afternoon at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The Yard Goats won their fifth straight game, taking five of six from the Senators and improving to 54-33. Hartford is 21 games over .500 for the first time in team history.
Hartford opened the scoring in the third inning. Hunter Stovall lined a double down the left field line off Alex Troop, and Isaac Collins raced home from first base for a 1-0 lead.
Tony Locey looked sharp in his third start for the Yard Goats. The right-hander tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out four. Jared Biddy entered in relief and got the final out in the fifth without allowing a run.
The Nationals affiliate tied it 1-1 on Dondrei Hubbard’s double to right field. The Senators threatened to take the lead with a runner on third, but Noah Gotsis worked out of the jam.
Harrisburg took a 3-1 lead on a two-run homer by Gilbert Lara in the seventh, but Hartford broke it open in the bottom of the inning. Aaron Schunk lined a single to center to score Niko Decolati, tying it, 3-3. With the bases loaded, Toglia crushed a home run to the right field porch seats for a 7-3 lead. It was the switch-hitter’s second straight game with a homer and his 17th home run of the season. The Yard Goats have hit six grand slams as a team this year and two on this homestand.
The Yard Goats head to Binghamton to play a three-game series with the Mets affiliate, the Rumble Ponies, starting Friday at 7 p.m.