Fargo-Moorhead Beats Pheasants

July 17, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release

SIOUX FALLS "" The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks scored eight runs in the first three innings en route to a 9-3 defeat of the Sioux Falls Pheasants Tuesday night at Sioux Falls Pheasants.

The first-place RedHawks have won a league-best 14 games in a row, one shy of tying an American Association record. The Pheasants (27-29) losing skid has reached four games.

Fargo-Moorhead (35-21) scored twice in the first inning Eric Campbell's two-run double and never trailed. They scored three runs in each of the next two innings, thanks in part to Nic Jackson's two-run home run in the second, his 10th of the year. Jackson, who went 3-for-4, leads the league with 58 RBI.

Trevor Lawhorn and Joe Anthonsen, the two longest-tenured Sioux Falls players in team history, both moved up rankings on the career hits. Lawhorn's RBI single in the third was his 374th hit, surpassing Charles Peterson for second all-time. Anthonsen collected two hits, moving his total to 373. The all-time leader is Felix Pagan (416).

However, the Pheasants' injury-plagued lineup could not take advantage of seven walks from Fargo-Moorhead pitching. They stranded nine runners and matched a league record by grounding into five double plays. Cesar Nicolas' leadoff home run in the second inning "" his second in three games and seventh of the year "" was the Birds' only extra-base hit.

Pheasants starter Alan DeRatt (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing a season-high eight runs on 13 hits in five innings.

A trio of Sioux Falls relievers "" Dusty Gober, Kyle Mertins and Cody Evans "" combined to yield just one run on three hits in the last four innings. It was the only run allowed by the Pheasants' bullpen in the last six games.

Aaron Shafer (4-4) earned the victory for Fargo-Moorhead. He gave up three runs on three hits in five innings. He walked six and struck out six.

The three-game series concludes at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, at Sioux Falls Stadium. It's Ladies Night. Gals of all ages can purchase a ticket for just $5, and drink specials will be available at the Tiki Bar.

Notes: Pheasants shortstop Cory Morales was activated from the disabled list and returned to the lineup for the first time since July 6. He went 0-for-4. In a concurrent move, outfielder Jonny Kaplan was placed on the disabled list with an ankle sprain, retroactive to July 16.

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