HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford Yard Goats began their first-ever Eastern League playoff series Tuesday.
The Yard Goats, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, will play against the New York Yankees' MiLB affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, in a best-of-three series for the Northeast Division Championship, according to the Minor League Baseball team's spokesperson.
The first game on Tuesday resulted in the Goats losing to the Patriots 3-2. The Yard Goats and Somerset will be at Dunkin' Park on Thursday for Game Two.
The Yard Goats won the first-half championship in a June game against the Harrisburg Senators, marking a first for the team since they relocated to Hartford from New Britain in 2016.
“First time in the playoffs, it's also my first year as mayor, so it might be the Arulampalam bump there,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said. “We are so proud of you guys!”
The Patriots clinched the second-half title this month in a victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, beating out the Portland Sea Dogs, according to the spokesperson.
The team that wins the Divisional Championship will participate in the best-of-three Eastern League Championship series, beginning on Sept. 22.
“What a great week to be a baseball fan in our beautiful city of Hartford, Connecticut!" Conor Geary, sales manager for the Yard Goats, said.
A full schedule for the Northeast Division finals is below:
Eastern League Northeast Division Finals
Game One: Tuesday, Sept. 17 (6:35 PM) Yard Goats @ Somerset (TD Ballpark) N.J.
Game Two: Thursday, Sept. 19 (7:10 PM) Yard Goats vs Somerset (Dunkin’ Park)
*Game Three Friday, Sept. 20 (7:10 PM) Yard Goats vs Somerset (Dunkin’ Park)
The Yard Goats and the Hartford Chamber of Commerce are set to host a free, public playoff watch party on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. on Pratt Street in Hartford, where fans can watch game one on a big screen and participate in activities including raffles, face painting and photos with the team mascots.
“There is no organization in the city of Hartford that is more committed than the Hartford Yard Goats,” Jendayi Scott-Miller, with Angel of Edgewood, said. “What they have done with the community and what they do to help us serve the community is unmatched."
Information about the Yard Goats' schedule and tickets for the games can be found on their website here. Tickets are selling for as low as $12 a seat.
“We're really excited about the playoffs,” Hartford Yard Goats President Tim Restall said. “When we secured our spot in June, we knew it was going to be very magical, very special."
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Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com.
Bridgette Bjorlo is an anchor/reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at bbjorlo@fox61.com. Follow her onFacebook, X and Instagram.
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