Goldeyes Ride Rusch to Victory
Published on June 25, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Matt Rusch knew in the bullpen before the game that he had a little more on his fastball on Monday night.
It was exactly what the Winnipeg Goldeyes needed.
Rusch, the Goldeyes starter on Monday, improved to 5-1 and lowered his earned run average to 1.88 by allowing only one run on four hits in seven complete innings of work as he led the Goldeyes to a 3-2 win over the visiting Sioux City Explorers.
Rusch finished the game with 10 strikeouts and was perfect through the first four innings as he put a halt to the Goldeyes three-game losing streak.
"I knew when I was throwing in the bullpen that I had a little extra on my fastball tonight," Rusch said afterward. "I felt really good tonight even though I fell behind in a lot of counts. I was trying to see if they'd go fishing early in the count and when they didn't, I just focused on throwing strikes low in the zone."
With Rusch throwing darts, the Goldeyes put up three runs early.
In the first inning, Chris Roberson walked, stole second, went to third on an infield hit by Jon Weber and scored on a sacrifice fly by Luis Alen. The Fish made it 2-0 in the second when Josh Mazzola singled, stole second and scored on a double by Kyle Day. And then they made it 3-0 in the fourth as Mazzola singled, stole second and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ridge Carpenter.
Sioux City scored a run off Kaohi Downing in the eighth and then Dexter Carter shut down the Explorers in the ninth.
"We felt like this was a big one for us," said Rusch. "After three losses, we had a little extra focus tonight."
With the win, the Goldeyes improved to 22-15 and remained in first place in the American Association's North Division. Rusch got the win, while Alain Quijano (2-3, 2.74) suffered the loss. Carter got his third save.
It was a big night for Mazzola who had two hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored.
Tuesday night the Goldeyes and Explorers will play Game 2 of this three-game series at Shaw Park in Winnipeg. Chris Salamida (1-2, 4.24 ERA) will get the start for the Goldeyes. Ty Marontz (2-1, 7.00 ERA) will toe the slab for Sioux City.
Game time is 7 p.m. and it can be heard live on TSN Radio 1290 with Paul Edmonds calling the play-by-play.
American Association Stories from June 25, 2012
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- Goldeyes Ride Rusch to Victory - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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- Ziegler Named Batter of the Week - Wichita Wingnuts
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