Goldeyes Fall One Strike Short, Lose Heartbreaker
May 31, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Sure can't blame Nick Hernandez for the Winnipeg Goldeyes sixth loss in 10 starts.
The Goldeyes starter pitched six solid innings and left the game with a 2-1 lead in Joplin, Mo., on Sunday afternoon, but closer Jailen Peguero gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth and the Goldeyes fell 3-2 to the Joplin Blasters.
With the loss, the Goldeyes finished 4-6 on the team's season-opening 10-game road trip through Grand Prairie, Tex., Wichita, Kan., and Joplin, Mo. The Fish won the opening series in Grand Prairie 3-1, but were swept in Wichita and lost the final series to the Blasters 2-1.
Ultimately, 4-6 is hardly the end of the world on a 10-game road trip. However, with a few timely hits, the Fish might have 7-3 or 8-2. The pitching was tremendous on most nights and it was certainly rock solid on Sunday.
Hernandez pitched six innings and allowed only one run on seven scattered hits. Mark Pope and Brendan Lafferty each pitched two-thirds of an inning and while Lafferty gave up a couple of hits, neither reliever allowed a run. Pegeuro pitched a solid eighth inning to get Lafferty out of a jam, but he couldn't shut down Joplin in the ninth as Jake Taylor singled to drive in a pair of runs with two out and give the Blasters the come-from-behind victory.
Winnipeg scored a run in the first inning and one more in the fourth. In the first, Adam Heisler was safe on a fielder's choice, then stole both second and third and scored on Casey Haerther's RBI single.
In the fourth, with the score tied 1-1, as Aaron Baker singled and came around to score on Luis Alen's sacrifice fly.
But that was it. The Goldeyes managed only two runs on 12 hits. Haerther led the way, going three-for-five, while Casio Grider and Brad Boyer each went two-for-four.
Joplin picked up three runs on 10 hits, but walks hurt Pegeuro in the ninth. He walked two batters - Maikol Gonzalez and Yasser Gomez -- who got to second and third and scored the tying and winning runs on Taylor's single.
Joplin reliever Winston Abreu (2-0, 0.00 ERA) earned the win for Wichita, while Pegeuro (0-1, 5.79 ERA) was tagged with the loss.
After the game, the Goldeyes hopped on the bus and started the 1,439-kilometre ride home. The Fish will have Monday off and then will open the home portion 2015 American Association schedule on Tuesday night against the Sioux Falls Canaries.
Matt Jackson (1-1, 2.25 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg while Jeremy Strawn (1-0, 1.35 ERA) will take to the bump for the Canaries.
Tickets for the Goldeyes season opener on June 2 against Sioux Falls plus all Winnipeg Goldeyes 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 May 31, 2015
- X's Get a Victory on "Guaranteed Win Night" - Sioux City Explorers
- Amarillo Sweeps Lincoln - Amarillo ThunderHeads
- Goldeyes Fall One Strike Short, Lose Heartbreaker - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Robert Coe Masterful as Saints Take Game One of Doubleheader 2-1 - St. Paul Saints
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Southshore Sweeps Doubleheader, Series vs. KC - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Canaries Pickup 4th Comeback Win of the Season - Sioux Falls Canaries
- T-Bones Swept in Gary - Kansas City Monarchs
- Gaston Homers But Dogs Swept in Amarillo - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts Win Series by Holding off AirHogs 2-1 - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes Release Aguilar Ahead of Roster Deadline - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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