Hollingsworth Shuts out Jackals with Incredible Performance
August 19, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
It was Ethan Hollingsworth's night.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes crafty right-hander threw a complete game two-hitter, as the Goldeyes whipped the New Jersey Jackals 6-0 in front of 5,923 appreciative onlookers at Shaw Park.
The only hits that Hollingsworth allowed were an infield scratch hit by speedy Felix Sanchez in the seventh inning and a flared opposite field single to right by Dwight Childs in the ninth. Hollingsworth allowed a single walk in the third, but the base runner was erased on a double play.
It was a brilliant performance from the opening pitch as Hollingsworth threw the first two-hitter at Shaw Park. Ace Walker threw a one-hitter in his final start of 2010 (Aug. 29) against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Lefty Bobby Madritsch had the Goldeyes other two-hitter in Fargo in 2002.
"I had my curveball going tonight and stayed ahead of hitters," Hollingsworth said. "The defense, as always, was great behind me. They're always great. I don't strike out a lot of guys (he had five), so I need a good defense and there isn't much more you can say about how good they are.
"I think I might have had a complete game before, but I've never had a two-hit complete game shutout before. It was fun out there tonight. I really wasn't thinking about a no-hitter or even a one-hitter. When I was out there, I was just thinking about protecting a 6-0 lead."
With the win, the Goldeyes improved to 55-33 and have matched last season's win total with 12 games remaining this season. They have one more win than they had in 2012 when they went on to win the American Association championship. The Goldeyes have now won 15 series this season and with a win on Wednesday night, they can sweep their eighth series of the year. The Goldeyes have now won four straight games and lead the St. Paul Saints by nine games in the race for first in the American Association's North Division. St. Paul lost 4-2 in Gary on Tuesday night. The Goldeyes magic number is now 5.
Winnipeg opened the scoring with a run in the first, as Reggie Abercrombie drove home Brock Bond with an infield single.
The Fish added two in the second, as Ryan Pineda hit a solo homer and then Jake Blackwood singled, went to third on a double by Tyler Kuhn and scored on a wild pitch.
Kuhn drove in a run in the fourth as Pineda, who had walked, scored on Kuhn's single and then Bond scored his second run of the game as Abercrombie drove in his second run of the game with a fielder's choice ground out.
Luis Alen rounded out the scoring with a monster home run in the fifth.
It was a big night for Pineda who homered, singled, walked twice, scored twice and drove in a run, while Blackwood and Casey Haerther each had three hits.
Hollingsworth (7-1 3.63 ERA) got the victory, while New Jersey starter Tom Vessella (1-2, 4.95 ERA) took the loss. The Goldeyes finished with six runs on 15 hits, while New Jersey had no runs on just two scattered hits.
The Goldeyes and Jackals will play Game 3 of this three-game series on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Chris Salamida (6-4, 3.43 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg while Keith Bilodeau (2-0, 6.00 ERA) will take to the bump for New Jersey.
Tickets for all 2014 Winnipeg Goldeyes games are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Goldeyes.com, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster location, including the Shaw Park box office.
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American Association Stories from August 19, 2014
- Bats Bark, Bite But Pitching Rolls over in Dogs' Defeat - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Hollingsworth Shuts out Jackals with Incredible Performance - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- T-Bones Can'T Hold Early Lead; Fall to Sox - Kansas City Monarchs
- Quality Start from Hiscock Helps Cats Snap Streak - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Saints Doubled up by RailCats in 4-2 Loss - St. Paul Saints
- 2013 Batting Champion Is Back as Nuts Trade for Nieves - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Oldham Steps up as Wingnuts Take Series-Opener from Saltdogs 6-2 - Wichita Wingnuts
- Fish Continue Winning Ways at Home - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Use Six-Run Eighth Inning to Beat Cats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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