Fish Avoid Sweep by Thumping Laredo
Published on May 24, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
With an exclamation point, the Winnipeg Goldeyes showed they weren't about to be swept in just their second series of this 2012 season.
On the strength of a seven-run ninth inning, the Goldeyes (4-2) hammered the Laredo Lemurs (4-3) 11-3 Wednesday afternoon before 6,616 fans in south Texas.
Laredo took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first two innings, but Winnipeg answered back in the fifth to take the lead, largely thanks to a two-run home run from right fielder Josh Mazzola.
"Hopefully that's big for him," Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. "He's been struggling with the bat. It certainly gave the team a boost."
The Lemurs tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. However, the Goldeyes retook the lead in the top of the eighth when Price Kendall scored on a sac fly by Yurendell de Caster.
"Once they tied it up, it was nice to see the guys answer back and take the lead," Forney said. "The ninth inning, everything seemed to fall into place."
In the ninth, Winnipeg used five hits to score the seven runs - all with two out - and sent 11 men to the plate. Five different Goldeyes drove in runs in the ninth, including Matt Cusick, who had an RBI double in his second plate appearance of the inning.
"Hitting is contagious," Forney said. "We had some guys struggling and people making outs in front of you. Sometimes you try to change your approach and go away with what makes you successful.
"It took us a little while, but we got to the bullpen guys."
The outburst in the ninth came after Winnipeg managed to score just one run in each of the first two games in Laredo.
Goldeyes starter Chris Salamida went five innings. He allowed two runs on nine hits, while striking out four and walking two.
Kaohi Downing picks up the win after pitching the sixth and seventh innings, while Craig James and Nick Carr each pitched an inning to finish the game.
Leonard Giammanco suffered the loss for Laredo.
The win came in sweltering heat. The mercury soared just past 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon.
"It's hard to even see sometimes," Forney said. "You feel your eyes burning it's so hot."
Winnipeg begins a three-game series in El Paso Thursday night. Brian Leach will make his first start of the season. Game time is 8:00 p.m. CDT. The pre-game show on TSN 1290 with Paul Edmonds begins at 7:30 p.m.
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- Fish Avoid Sweep by Thumping Laredo - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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