The Hartford Yard Goats have won their first game ever on Thursday.
The team defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-4 at the Diamond in Virginia on Minor League Baseball Opening Day.
Kyle Freeland let up only one run in five innings. After trailing 1-0 for four innings, the Yard Goats scored twice in the fifth to take the lead. Rosell Herrara, an outfielder, had four hits and his RBI tied the game.
Shortstop Pat Valaika's RBI single brought Herrera home and gave the team a 2-1 lead at the bottom of the fifth.
Hartford got three more runs in the sixth off Pedro Casilla. Konnor Wade's bunt brought home Ryan McMahon before Herrara was able to hit a two-run double to right center field.
At the top of the eighth, the Squirrels slammed a two-run home run and another solo home run in the ninth but couldn't catch up to the Yard Goats.
The Yard Goats and Flying Squirrels will play again on Friday night at 7:30 in Richmond.
Local
Despite Harford's full-blown budget crisis, the city said it will finance $5.5 million of the $10 million shortfall to complete the Yard Goat's new stadium by May 17.
