Goldeyes RailCatted by Mitchell in the Ninth
Published on June 30, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
The Winnipeg Goldeyes had it in the bag and Zac Mitchell took it away.
The Gary SouthShore RailCats' light-hitting shortstop hit his first homer of the year, a two-run shot in the second inning, and then blasted a game-winning three-run bomb with two out in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Winnipeg Goldeyes 6-5.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Goldeyes, who took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth. In the ninth, Chris Kissock, the closer of the day, got two quick outs, but then Brian Kolb singled, Drew Martinez singled and then Mitchell hit the first pitch he saw from Kissock - fastball over the heart of the plate - over the right-field wall for the game-winning home run.
Mitchell, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound shortstop, who went into the game hitting .269, went two-for-four with two runs scored and five runs driven in.
It was also a heartbreaking way for Goldeyes starter Justin Garcia to get a no-decision. Garcia pitched brilliantly and Josh Mazzola knocked in a pair of runs to get the Fish rolling, as Winnipeg built an early 4-0 lead and seemed to be in control.
But that collapse in the ninth gave the RailCats a thrilling victory in the rubber match of this three-game series.
With the loss, the Goldeyes finished 3-3 on their six-game road trip and fell to 20-19 on the season.
The Goldeyes got off to a quick start. In the top of the first, Mike Coles led off with a single, Amos Ramon walked and then Josh Mazzola doubled both of them home. Casey Haerther singled, sending Mazzola to third and then Mazzola scored as Fehlandt Lentini grounded into a fielder's choice. Luis Alen then singled, but Lentini was thrown out trying to go to third. However, that allowed Alen to get to second and he scored on a single by Nick Liles.
Gary scored three times in the third, but that's all they'd get against Garcia, who gave the Goldeyes a fourth-straight quality start.
Winnipeg made it 5-3 in the fourth as Liles walked and Nate Samson singled. Liles eventually came around to score on a fielder's choice RBI ground out by Mike Coles.
Garcia pitched six strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits and then lefty reliever Brendan Lafferty pitched scoreless, hitless innings in the seventh and eighth. But Kissock's mistake to Mitchell gave the RailCats the series victory and handed Winnipeg its second straight loss.
Ramon led the Goldeyes offense with a couple of hits and a run scored. Haerther had a pair of hits and Mazzola knocked in the first two runs of the game with his only hit.
Gary reliever Kyle Lindquist (1-0, 3.09 ERA) got the win, while Kissock (0-3, 3.27 ERA) suffered the loss.
The Goldeyes return home to face the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday night -- Fireworks Night to celebrate Canada Day.
Tickets for all Goldeyes games are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Ticketmaster.ca, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Shaw Park box office.
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