AA Winnipeg Goldeyes

Early Hole Sinks Fish

May 15, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release


The Winnipeg Goldeyes got behind early in their Opening Day game on Thursday night against the Amarillo Sox. And despite slowly clawing their way back into the game, the Fish were never quite able to level the score.

The Goldeyes (0-1) gave up 11 runs over the first two innings to the Sox (1-0), and that is all the offense the Sox needed. With the 11-7 final, Amarillo got their first ever franchise win against Winnipeg.

The Fish actually took the early lead with Ray Sadler getting on base on a walk in the first and then scoring on a RBI double from Reggie Abercrombie. But the Sox responded in the bottom of the first scoring two of their own.

Then in the top of the second the Goldeyes were taken down in order. In the bottom of the inning the Sox did their damage, scoring nine on nine hits, with 14 batters stepping to the plate.

The Goldeyes mustered a response in the top of the third.

"Guys in the dugout still felt like we could win the game," Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea said on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show. "It was good to bounce back after that nine-run inning and put 5 on the board to pull us back in the game a little bit."

Luis Alen and Tyler Kuhn led off the top of the frame with two singles. Jake Blackwood then loaded the bases on a walk. Ray Sadler flew out, but up next was Abercrombie who was able to get a single and drive in Alen. Two batters later Webb reached base on an error that scored Kuhn. Casey Haerther then stepped to the plate and hit a three RBI double. Haerther reached 300 RBI for his career on the play. The five runs the Goldeyes scored in the inning cut the Sox lead in half.

Great pitching from Kyle Anderson, Chase Johnson and Brendan Lafferty then kept the Sox off the scoreboard through the remainder of the game, as they tried to give their team a chance to get back into the game.

The Fish offense didn't go quietly, they were able to get at least one runner on base in every inning from the third on. "You have to grind out those at bats," said Vermilyea. "We started doing a good job of that, and we kept hitting the ball hard, but they just weren't dropping."

The only additional run the Goldeyes were able to score came in the top of the seventh. Donnie Webb got on base with a single and then was driven in by Ryan Pineda on a RBI single.

"You take away that one inning and we had a good game," said Vermilyea. "It's nothing to hang out heads on, we have 99 more them."

The Goldeyes series against the Sox continues Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m., and wraps up with a game on Sunday at 6 p.m. After this series the Fish will travel south to Laredo for a three game series against the Laredo Lemurs.

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.

Check out the Winnipeg Goldeyes Statistics



American Association Stories from May 15, 2014


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.

OurSports Central