Fish Keep on Winning
July 31, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Thanks to a solid start by Matt Jackson and some good work from the pen, the Winnipeg Goldeyes have won five straight games for the first time this season.
Thursday night at Shaw Park, the Goldeyes guaranteed a series victory over the visiting Amarillo Thunderheads with a 4-1 victory on Bacon Night.
Wearing their spiffy bacon-styled uniforms, the Goldeyes scored single runs in the second and third and two more in the fifth to give the Goldeyes pitching staff all it needed.
Jackson pitched five innings - despite a rain delay in the third that lasted an hour and four minutes - allowing only one run on three hits, while Brad Mincey, Rett Varner, Brendan Lafferty and Jailen Peguero came out of the pen and allowed only three hits over four scoreless innings as the Fish won their second game in a row over Amarillo.
With the victory, improved to 29-34 on the season. The Goldeyes moved a half game ahead of Amarillo in the American Association wild card race, but they still trail wild card leader Kansas City by seven games.
"It's amazing how good things happen when you get a great start, solid defense and two out hits with men in scoring position," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "That's what we got tonight. Our guys have been working hard, making the necessary changes and staying positive.
"I thought our guys really stayed in the moment during the rain delay. You know, sometimes, you can wait for an hour or so and lose your focus or concentration, but that didn't happen to our guys tonight. They played a real nice baseball game."
The Goldeyes opened the scoring in the second when Josh Mazzola singled, Brad Boyer singled and Luis Alen sent Mazzola home with an RBI single.
In the third, player of the game, Tillman Pugh doubled, stole second, went to third on a bad throw by Amarillo catcher Corey Bass and scored on a balk by Amarillo starter Alex Koronis.
The Goldeyes put it away with a pair in the fifth. With two out, Adam Heisler tripled, scored on a double by Pugh and then Pugh scored on a single by Casey Haerther.
In the end, the Goldeyes had four runs on eight hits while Amarillo had one run on six hits. Pugh led the way with two doubles, a stolen base, two runs scored and an RBI.
Jackson (6-6, 4.89 ERA), who was solid from the first pitch, got the win, while Amarillo starter Alex Koronis (0-2, 4.70 ERA) was tagged with the loss. Jailen Peguero, who struck out the side in the ninth, picked up his 11th save.
The Goldeyes and Thunderheads will play the final game of this three-game series on Friday night - Fireworks Night - at Shaw Park. Kyle Anderson (2-5, 6.06 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg, while Matt Larkins (6-2, 3.03 ERA) will take to the mound for Amarillo. 0 0 1 436 2491 Wintergreen Financial Services Ltd. 20 5 2922 14.0
Tickets for all Goldeyes home games in 2015 are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Goldeyes.com, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster location, including the Shaw Park box office.
American Association Stories from July 31, 2015
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- American Association Results - AA
- Humphries and Blackwell Lead Canaries to 6-3 Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Tie Franchise Record for Largest Victory, Trounce RailCats 18-2 - St. Paul Saints
- T-Bones Drop Finale in South Dakota - Kansas City Monarchs
- Bencomo Brilliant as Wingnuts Take Series from Jackals - Wichita Wingnuts
- X's Get Series Sweep In Lincoln - Sioux City Explorers
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Wingnuts Welcome Do-Everything Heil to Roster - Wichita Wingnuts
- Ziegler Homers in Return But X's Rally for Sweep - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Comeback Falls Short in 4-1 Loss to Jackals - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Bag Lemurs to Level Series - Joplin Blasters
- Fish Keep on Winning - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Canaries Power Surge Spoiled in 10-9 Loss to Kansas City - Sioux Falls Canaries
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