Fish Stymied in Homestand Opener
Published on July 9, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
A good thing came to an end for the Winnipeg Goldeyes Tuesday night and Sioux City Explorers pitcher Patrick Johnson is largely to blame.
The Goldeyes struck out 11 times at the hands of Johnson and had their franchise record 11-game winning streak end with a 2-1 loss to the Explorers before 5,010 fans at Shaw Park.
The loss shrinks Winnipeg's lead in the American Association's North Division to 8 1/2 games.
"Johnson pitched a hell of a ballgame today," Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. "At this level, you usually don't see that kind of arm speed and velocity. It was a good match up (for him) with that umpire (Nick Gonzalez). That umpire calls a high strike and it's tough to catch up to when you don't see it all the time and have to guard against three other pitches. We were overmatched by this guy."
Sioux City started the scoring in the top of the third inning. After Tommy Mendonca led off the with a triple, he scored on a two-out single by Oscar Mesa.
Winnipeg had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth, but the Goldeyes left the bases loaded when Reggie Abercrombie struck out.
"If we could have cashed our chips in the fourth inning, it would have been a totally different ballgame," Forney said.
Winnipeg finally tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ryan Pineda led off with a single, went to second on a bunt by Tyler Kuhn, stole third and scored on a Josh Mazzola sac fly.
The tie didn't last long, though. Former Goldeyes infielder Amos Ramon hit an RBI single the top of the ninth inning off Chris Kissock to regain the lead for the Explorers.
"We were fortunate to get out of (the top of the ninth) with only giving up one run, but unfortunately that one run was enough for them to win the ballgame," Forney said.
Kuhn was the only Goldeyes player to register a hit in the game. In fact, five Goldeyes didn't register a hit in the game, including Casey Haerther, whose 17-game hitting streak also came to an end.
Goldeyes starter Chris Salamida posted his third consecutive quality start, allowing just one run in seven innings of work. He struck out seven and walked just one in a no-decision.
Johnson picked up the win for Sioux City, while Kissock suffered the loss for Winnipeg.
The second game of the three-game series goes Wednesday night at Shaw Park. American Association win-leader Matt Jackson (7-2, 2.83) will face Sioux City's John Straka (4-4, 3.12).
Tickets for all 2014 Winnipeg Goldeyes games and the 2014 American Association All-Star Game 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 9, 2014
- Early Struggles Cost RedHawks in 6-3 Loss to Gary - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Van Skike and Friends Cage Canaries to Complete Sweep - Wichita Wingnuts
- Canaries Shut Out in Wichita Finale - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Fish Flounder against Explorers - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Searle Dominant in T-Bones Loss - Kansas City Monarchs
- RailCats Add Fowler - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wingnuts Extend Streak to Five with Wild 8-7 Walk-Off Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Four Run Fourth Sets the Tone for Gary's 9-4 Win Over RedHawks - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Canaries Lose Heartbreaker in Wichita - Sioux Falls Canaries
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Fish Stymied in Homestand Opener - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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