Fish Bats Go Silent in Series Opener
August 29, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Winnipeg Goldeyes starter Nick Hernandez allowed only two runs on six hits in seven innings of work on Friday night. His earned run average actually dropped from 2.90 to 2.88.
Still, it wasn't enough. Seems a couple of runs was all the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks needed as they got a great start from Brandon Mann and beat the Goldeyes 3-1.
As a result of the loss, the Fish dropped their second straight game and the first game of this four-game series with the RedHawks. They also fell to 42-48 on the season and a disappointing 17-23 at home.
"We just looked like a mentally tired ball club coming off that (10-game Eastern) road trip," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "We had some chances, but we just couldn't get a hit when we needed it.
"I thought Nick pitched pretty well. I was curious to see how he'd fare tonight considering he's been away from the team for the birth of his child. And then he got stung by a bee, right between the index finger and forefinger of his left hand, after his warm-up. But who knows, maybe that helped him spin the ball more. Overall, I thought he looked good."
Fargo opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the third on a single by Zach Penprase, an RBI double by Drew Muren and an RBI single by Chad Mozingo. But that was all Hernandez would allow.
The Goldeyes got their only run run in the fifth. Luis Alen led off with a single, Brad Boyer followed with a single, a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Babineau put Alen on third and Boyer on second and then an error by Fargo third baseman Michael Wing allowed Alen to score from third.
But that was it for Winnipeg. Fargo's Joe Dunigan hit a solo homer in the top of the ninth off reliever Tony Smith to put the game away.
The Goldeyes finished with one run on nine hits while Fargo had three runs on nine hits. Winnipeg had two hits in the eighth and stranded runners on second and third and had two more hits in the ninth and again stranded runners on second and third. The Fish just couldn't get a big hit when they needed it. Alen had a pair of singles and a run scored to lead Winnipeg.
Fargo starter Brandon Mann (6-9, 4.23 ERA) earned the victory. He had seven strikeouts and leads the American Association with 140. Hard-luck Hernandez (8-7, 2.88 ERA) was tagged with the loss. Mike Nesseth picked up his 17th save for Fargo.
The Goldeyes and Fargo will play Game 2 of this four-game series on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CDT. Lefty Kyle Anderson (4-5, 4.36 ERA) will start for the Goldeyes while righthander Ty Kelley (5-6, 4.34) will take to the bump for the RedHawks. The game can be heard live on The Jewel 100.5 with Steve Schuster at the microphone.
Tickets for all of the Goldeyes' final 10 home 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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