Goldeyes nip RedHawks to run winning streak to three games
Published on July 8, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Fargo, N.D. - As the fireworks blasted off above Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, the collective sigh of relief coming from the Winnipeg Goldeyes clubhouse could be heard almost as loud.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes (31-20) hung on for a 6-5 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (24-28) Friday night before 4,740 fans at a sold out ballpark in Fargo.
For the second straight night Winnipeg touched home plate early, and this time often.
The Goldeyes scored four times in the first inning on just three hits, which was highlighted by a two-run single from Luis Alen.
The following inning, Brian Joynt scored on a Price Kendall single and then Kendall tallied on a single by Wes Long, who finished the game three-for-four with two RBI.
"We had a couple clutch hits early, but we kind of scuffled defensively," Long said.
After Kyle Nichols hit a solo home run in the second inning for the RedHawks, Winnipeg's defense coughed up three errors and starting pitcher Isaac Hess had two wild pitches that led to two Fargo runs in the fourth inning and another run in the fifth inning, cutting the Goldeyes lead to 6-4 and sending Hess from the game.
"We were on our heels a little bit," Long said, "which is why it was so clutch the way Ian Thomas came into the game and shut the door."
Ian Thomas tossed two and a two-third innings of relief to pick up his fifth win of the year out of the bullpen. RedHawks starter Oliver Odle takes the loss. Jamie Vermilyea pitched the ninth inning to earn the save, despite allowing a leadoff home run to Phil Britton and watching Nic Jackson send a fly ball to the warning track that would have turn the result the opposite direction, as Carlo Cota was standing on first base.
"This place can be a tough place to play, but we hung in there," Long said.
Fargo manager Doug Simunic was ejected for the second consecutive game in this series after he took exception to the length of time Goldeyes reliever Ian Thomas was given to warm up prior to the bottom the seventh inning. The American Association mandates that the amount of time between innings should be only 90 seconds.
The St. Paul Saints lost 13-3 to the Gary SouthShore RailCats last night, meaning the Goldeyes move into a tie with the Saints for first place in the North Division.
The third game of the four-game series goes Saturday night in Fargo. Game time is 6:02 and all the action can be heard live on Sports Radio 1290, beginning with Around the Association at 4:30 p.m.
American Association Stories from July 8, 2011
- El Paso Downs T-Bones in Extras, 7-4 - Kansas City Monarchs
- Offense breaks out in rout of Sox - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Late Rally Falls Short In 6-5 Loss - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Sioux City slips past Pheasants - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goldeyes nip RedHawks to run winning streak to three games - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints lose a tough one 13-3 at hands of former pitcher - St. Paul Saints
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Bats Explode Late in Win Over St. Paul - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Results - AA
- Guerra, Delgado Lead Wingnuts Over Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
- Rainwater stifles Sox bats; Airhogs bats excel in 14-2 win - Amarillo ThunderHeads
- RedHawks Make Series of Moves - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- QuikTrip Park Biker Fest Tomorrow July 9 - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- X's Jump out Early, Cling to Win - Sioux City Explorers
- Pheasants lose heartbreaker to Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- St. Paul Holds Off RailCats in Opener - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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