Goldeyes Increase Wild Card Lead with Wild Win
August 6, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
It's long been maintained that it doesn't matter how you start a game, it's how you finish it.
Despite falling behind 6-0 in the top of the first inning and then allowing nine runs in the ninth, the Goldeyes bats boomed on Monday night as Winnipeg scored 20 runs on 17 hits to come from behind and defeat the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants 20-16.
The Goldeyes were trailing 7-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth when they exploded for six runs in the sixth, five in the seventh and five more in the eighth. It was the biggest scoring outburst of the season for Winnipeg and the first time in history that the Goldeyes had scored 20 runs in a single game at Shaw Park.
Goldeyes starter Chris Salamida, who gave up six runs on four hits in the opening inning (only one of which was earned), hung in there for seven complete and claimed the victory.
Josh Mazzola hit his team leading 15th home run, a two-run bomb in the seventh, went three-for-four with a walk, scored four runs and drove in four as he continued his red-hot hitting.
Meanwhile, Chris Roberson extended his hitting streak to 20 games (he now leads the Goldeyes with a .354 batting average) as he doubled and singled in six trips, drove in two and scored one.
Newcomer Mike Coles, just acquired in a trade with Gary, had two hits in four at bats plus a walk and scored three runs.
Jon Weber had one hit in five trips plus a walk, but scored one run and drove in four.
"Well, there was a lot of offence," said a beleaguered Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "The pitching wasn't very good. Although Sally (Chris Salamida) stepped up after that first inning and gave us a lot of innings tonight."
With the win, the Goldeyes improved to 43-31, halted a two-game losing skid, pulled to within six games of first-place Fargo in the American Association's North Division and moved three games ahead of second-place Kansas City in the wild card race.
Salamida (3-5, 4.48 ERA) got the win for Winnipeg while reliever Dan Cooper (1-5, 3.72 ERA) suffered the loss for Sioux Falls.
The Goldeyes and Fighting Pheasants will meet again on Tuesday in Game 2 of this three game series. Matt Rusch (7-2, 2.40 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg while former Goldeyes righthander Barry Fowler (1-0, 2.08 ERA) will take the ball for Sioux Falls.
Tuesday night's game will start at 7 p.m. at Shaw Park and it can be heard live on TSN 1290 with Paul Edmonds calling the play-by-play.
American Association Stories from August 6, 2012
- Pheasants lose early lead, fall to Winnipeg in slugfest - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goldeyes Increase Wild Card Lead with Wild Win - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Mackey Spectacular as 'Dogs Shutout Wingnuts - Lincoln Saltdogs
- DeBarr Helps AirHogs Break Losing Streak - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Lemurs Can't Pick Up Sweep - Laredo Lemurs
- Lincoln Blanks Wingnuts - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Drop Pitchers Duel to RailCats 2-1 - St. Paul Saints
- Gulbransen Dominates Saints in 2-1 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Kyle Hurst, Son of Former Major Leaguer Bruce Hurst, Signs with Saints - St. Paul Saints
- Lowey Named Pitcher of the Week - Wichita Wingnuts
- RailCats Trade Coles, Acquire Former White Sox Farmhand - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Fish Swing Big Trade with RailCats - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Abercrombie Named League Batter of the Week - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goodwin Leads Way for T-Bones - Kansas City Monarchs
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