Fish Spoil Saltdogs' Home Opener
Published on May 23, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
After a much needed day off, the Winnipeg Goldeyes continued their long season opening road trip on Friday night in Lincoln Nebraska, where they were able to play spoiler for the Lincoln Saltdogs Home Opener.
The Goldeyes (4-3) edged the Saltdogs (4-3) by just one run. In front of 4,242 fans at Haymarket Park the Fish bettered the Saltdogs 3-2.
After both teams were sat down in order in the first inning, the Goldeyes opened the scoring in the top of the second. Reggie Abercrombie was able to get on base with a double. He was then driven in on a fly-out RBI from Donnie Webb.
The Goldeyes extended their lead to two in the third. After Tyler Kuhn reached base on a single, Ray Sadler brought him home. The RBI was Sadler's team leading ninth of the season.
Lincoln mounted a response in the bottom of the third. The Saltdogs got three hits in the inning and were able to bring in two runs to tie the game.
Starting pitcher Matt Jackson led the Goldeyes on the mound with six and two-thirds innings of work and recorded the win. Jackson gave up the Saltdogs only two runs on six hits. He also recorded three strikeouts.
"He went out there and did his thing," said Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea of Jackson on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show. "He got in trouble there in the third, but you got to give it to him, he battled and kept us in the ball game."
Jackson was able to retire all of the lead off batters he faced. He now has retired all 14 lead off batters that he's faced this season in his two starts.
"If they get that first guy on it changes the inning. So when you can go out there and get that lead off guy it makes the inning a whole lot easier."
The Goldeyes bullpen added the relief Jackson needed. Brendan Lafferty played an inning and a third, striking out three. Chris Kissock came in for the bottom of the ninth and recorded the save. Kissock retired the Saltdogs in order in the inning on eight pitches with two strikeouts.
The Goldeyes retook the lead in the top of the seventh. Pineda reached on a walk and then was driven home by Luis Alen on an RBI single.
"When your nine hole guy can drive in big runs like that it is huge for your team and big for momentum," said Vermilyea.
The loss was charged to Lincoln's starter Marquis Fleming.
The Goldeyes will face the Lincoln Saltdogs two more times this series. The next game goes at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday with the expected pitching matchup to be Winnipeg's Nick Hernandez (0-0) against Lincoln's Zachary Varce (1-0). The two teams wrap up the series on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Fish then will make the drive back to Winnipeg, before hosting their Home Opener on Monday May 26 against the Sioux City Explorers. That game goes at 7 p.m.
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.
American Association Stories from May 23, 2014
- Amarillo Evens the Series - Sioux City Explorers
- Winnipeg Prevails in Well-Pitched Home Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Lemurs Shoot Down Airhogs 14-2 - Laredo Lemurs
- Wiley, Zagone Lead T-Bones over RedHawks - Kansas City Monarchs
- Saints' Offense Finds Their Kryptonite in Pitcher Kyle Ruwe, Lose 3-1 - St. Paul Saints
- Fish Spoil Saltdogs' Home Opener - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Sign Veteran Slugger, Chen Returns Home - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saltdogs' Pitcher Brooks Sold to Diamondbacks - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Jenks Named NBC World Series Tournament Director - Wichita Wingnuts
- RedHawks Sign Erasmus, Release Two - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Homestand Highlights: May 26 - June 1 - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- X's Walk Off in 14th Inning - Sioux City Explorers
- RailCats' Rally Falls Short in Loss to Wingnuts - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Doyle's Solid Start Not Enough for T-Bones - Kansas City Monarchs
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