Bullpen Save the Day, Goldeyes Even Series
July 26, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
The Winnipeg Goldeyes have given themselves a chance to go into the all-star break on a winning streak.
Goldeyes all-star pitcher Chris Kisscock locked it down in the ninth inning by striking out fellow all-star Craig Maddox, as Winnipeg beat the Gary SouthShore Railcats 6-5 Saturday night at U.S. Steel Yard.
"Gary, they fight to the very end," Goldeyes pitching coach Jamie Vermilyea said. "They can railcat you quick. You can't give them any free bases. That's when they start hurting you. You have to put the ball in play. That's what Kissock did."
The win increases Winnipeg's lead in the North Division to two games after the St. Paul Saints lost 9-4 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. The Goldeyes have also won five of their last seven games.
After the RailCats staked a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Goldeyes roared back to grab the lead. Luis Alen's sac fly scored Reggie Abercrombie in the top of the second and Winnipeg added three more runs in the top of the third, including a two-run home run from Abercrombie, to take a 4-3 lead.
Both teams scored a run in the sixth inning before Josh Mazzola scored on an error in the top of the ninth to restore Winnipeg's two-run lead.
That run proved to be huge, as the RailCats scored a two-out unearned run off Kissock in the ninth, but Winnipeg's closer preserved his 12th save of the year by striking out Maddox.
Abercrombie led Winnipeg with a two-for-four night at the plate with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Luis Alen and Tyler Kuhn also had a pair of hits.
Goldeyes starter Nick Hernandez left the game after 2 2/3 innings with a finger injury.
"I think he just popped a blood vessel in one of his fingers on his hand," Vermilyea said. "It was just one of those freak things."
He was replaced by Gabe Aguilar, who pitched 1 1/3 innings for his sixth win out of the bullpen. Starter Ethan Hollingsworth pitched three innings out of the bullpen, giving a run, while Brendan Lafferty pitched the bottom of the eighth for his league-leading 39th appearance.
RailCats starter Stephen Bougher suffered the loss.
The rubber match in the series goes Sunday afternoon in Gary. The Goldeyes will send Chris Salamida (4-3, 3.69) to the mound against Gary's Morgan Coombs (5-5, 4.56).
The pre-game show on Jewel 101 (100.7 FM) with Steve Schuster begins at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets for all 2014 Winnipeg Goldeyes games and the 2014 American Association All-Star Game are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Goldeyes.com, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster location, including the Shaw Park box office.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from July 26, 2014
- American Association Results - AA
- Wingnuts Snap Losing Streak with 8-2 Win in Amarillo - Wichita Wingnuts
- Varce Buries Bones Again as Dogs Even Series - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Cats Start Fast But Fall to Winnipeg - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Bats Silenced in Loss to Lincoln - Kansas City Monarchs
- Canaries win over Explorers - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Bullpen Save the Day, Goldeyes Even Series - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Eight-Game Winning Streak Comes to An End in 9-4 Loss to RedHawks - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Drop Fourth Straight as Amarillo Hangs on for 7-5 Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Hiscock Helps Cats Start Homestand with Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- T-Bones Rally for Six in Ninth - Kansas City Monarchs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
