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AA Winnipeg Goldeyes

Baldwin Anchors Fish to Win over Wingnuts

August 9, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release


Earlier this week Winnipeg Goldeyes veteran reliever Zach Baldwin was concerned about his role as the team's two-times-a-week specialty lefty. He didn't feel he was getting enough work.

Well, he got some work on Thursday night and he delivered.

Backed by a three-run homer off the bat off Yurendall de Caster, Baldwin threw 5.2 innings as the team's spot starter and shut down the visiting Wichita Wingnuts. With some help from relievers Kaohi Downing and Brian Beuning, Baldwin and the Goldeyes whipped the Wingnuts 7-1 in front of 5,948 happy spectators at Shaw Park.

With the win, the Goldeyes won their fourth straight game, improved to 46-31 on the season and remained four games ahead of Kansas City in the American Association's Wild Card race.

"This was a good matchup for Zach tonight with all the left-handed hitters in their lineup," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "He was also more efficient throwing strike one than he has been in his relief appearances this year.

"I'm real proud of our guys tonight, especially the bullpen. That was a bullpen win tonight. Our bullpen's been taking a beating from some people around here lately and I was real happy for them tonight."

After Wichita opened the scoring with a run off Baldwin in the top of the first, the Goldeyes answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Leadoff man Price Kendall singled, Chris Roberson was safe on a bunt single and Yurendell de Caster singled to load the bases. Jon Weber then drove home Kendall with a ground ball to short and then Luis Alen drove home Roberson with a sacrifice fly to centre.

The Fish put up two more in the fourth as Josh Mazzola singled, Kyle Day singled and Amos Ramon tripled home both base runners.

Winnipeg finished it off in the seventh as Kendall singled, Roberson picked up his second bunt single of the night and de Caster crushed a belt high fastball over the leftfield wall and down into the river.

"Three-run homers sure help," said Forney with a laugh, "especially when you're in Game 1 of a really important series against a good team. That was a big win for us."

For the Goldeyes, who pounded out 14 more hits, de Caster led the way with a single, a homer, a run scored and three RBI. Josh Mazzola had two more hits and a run scored; Amos Ramon had two hits and an RBI and Chris Roberson had two more hits and two runs scored.

Baldwin (2-1, 5.40 ERA) allowed only one run on five scattered hits and earned the win for Winnipeg. Ryan Hinson (8-5, 4.42 ERA) suffered the loss for Wichita. Brian Beuning picked up the three-inning save. It was his second save of the season.

Friday night the Goldeyes will play Game 2 of this three-game series with the Wingnuts. Ace Walker (6-3, 3.27 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg while Josh Lowey (12-3, 2.94 ERA) will toe the rubber for Wichita.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Shaw Park and it can be heard live on TSN 1290 with Paul Edmonds calling the play-by-play.

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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.

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