HARTFORD, Conn. – Willy Ortiz is not having a great week.
Four days after imploding during a relief appearance against the Reading Fightin’ Phils, Ortiz allowed four early runs that proved crucial in New Hampshire’s 5-3 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats on Saturday night.
Three of the runs came off homers from Vince Fernandez and Arvicent Perez in the first and third respectively, with Manuel Melendez’ single in the second bringing around Ryan Metzler for the other run.
Ortiz left after the third, giving up six hits and a walk en route to a now 0-3 record.
Hartford’s lead was held thanks to superlative pitching from Ashton Goudeau, climbing to 3-2 on the season after not allowing a single baserunner during his six innings of work.
Perez came across the plate on a sacrifice fly in the sixth to give the Yard Goats a 5-0 lead, which was winnowed in the seventh and eighth off Hartford reliever Chris Rusin.
Logan Cozart took over for Rusin in the ninth to shut the door, earning his second save of the year.
New Hampshire ended the day with just five hits, two of which came from Forrest Wall, who also scored two of New Hampshire’s three runs.
The series concludes on Sunday with New Hampshire’s Nate Pearson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) taking on Hartford’s Jack Wynkoop (3-5, 2.74 ERA).