AA Winnipeg Goldeyes

Goldeyes Shutout Canaries to Win Series

Published on August 17, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release


The Winnipeg Goldeyes scored early and often on Sunday afternoon to claim their weekend series against the Sioux Falls Canaries in dominant fashion.

The Goldeyes (53-33) were able to shutout the Canaries (29-58) by a score of 14-0 in front of 2,643 fans at Sioux Falls Stadium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Josh Mazzola hit three home runs in the game to pace the Goldeyes. Jake Blackwood followed closely behind with two homers of his own. In all, 10 different Goldeyes batters got a hit in the game.

"We needed a game like this," said Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea on the Jewel 101 post-game show. "We've had a lot of close ones lately, so a blow out like this one will feel that much better."

The Fish opened the scoring in the first on Blackwood's first home run, a solo shot over the leftfield fence. From there the Goldeyes didn't look back.

"[Blackwood's] hot right now," said Vermilyea. "He got a couple good swings on the ball and got us going with his homer in the first."

In the second, Donnie Webb got on base on a walk and then was driven in on Josh Mazzola's first home run.

The Goldeyes then really opened up their lead in the top of the fifth as they scored six runs on seven hits. Blackwood led off the scoring in the inning with his second solo jack.

Winnipeg wasn't done there. Mazzola would hit his 11th home run of the season in the top of the seventh to extend score line to 10-0. And then in the top of the ninth the Goldeyes would add four more runs to their total, including Josh Mazzola's third home run of the afternoon. Mazzola also lead the team on Sunday afternoon with six RBI.

"We're going to have a happy Mazzola on the bus ride home," Vermilyea said. "I mean, you can't say enough about his performance today, he was just on."

Nick Hernandez did his job on the mound to keep the Canaries off the board. He was able to strike out six and only gave up two hits through his seven innings of work. For his efforts, Hernandez earned the win.

"He did a heck of a job of getting us quick innings so that we could get our hot bats back up at the plate," said Vermilyea.

Kaohi Downing and Taylor Bratton came on in relief of Hernandez in the eighth and ninth innings respectively. Both relievers were able to put down the Canaries in order in their innings of work.

The Goldeyes were able to get 11 hits and nine runs off of Canaries starter Kyle Vasquez who was charged with the loss.

With the win, the Goldeyes extend their lead to eight games over the St. Paul Saints in the race for first in the American Association North Division. Their magic number to reach the playoffs is down to eight.

The Goldeyes now come home for a seven game homestand that starts on Monday night against the Can-Am League's New Jersey Jackals. The two teams will face off at Shaw Park starting at 7 p.m. Winnipeg will send Matt Jackson (9-6) to the mound to face New Jersey's Anthony Ferrara (4-4).

"They're leading their league over there in the Can-Am, and we had a good series over there against them, so it's going to be a hard fought three games," said Vermilyea.

Tickets for all 2014 Winnipeg Goldeyes games are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Goldeyes.com, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster location, including the Shaw Park box office.

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American Association Stories from August 17, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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