Late Offense Wills the Dogs to a 9-5 Win, Take Hold on League's Best Record
July 17, 2022 - American Association (AA)
Chicago Dogs News Release
FARGO, ND - The Chicago Dogs were elevated to the best record in the American Association with a 9-5 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Hot bats and another display of dominance from the bullpen helped carry Chicago to the series win over the best in the west.
Chicago fell behind 5-4 in the third inning, but was able to put together another late inning rally in the seventh inning to take the lead and add on insurance runs. It marked the second comeback win in a series that carried a playoff atmosphere all weekend.
Center fielder Michael Crouse and first baseman K.C. Hobson went blow for blow in their pursuit of player of the game. Crouse executed a perfect 5-for-5 day that led to four runs, one RBI and three stolen bases. Crouse brought speed and Hobson matched with the power. The veteran finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and a home run to bring him four total RBI. The top four hitters in Chicago's lineup were responsible for all nine runs.
Jeff Kinley made his third start as a Dog and pitched five innings and allowed five runs. The stat line may not look impressive, but outside of a semi-unlucky third inning rally, the lefty executed his pitches well. He finished with eight strikeouts.
Just as it has been all weekend, the bullpen had Kinley's back when he exited in a tied game. Joe Cavallaro and Kevin Marnon combined for four innings of scoreless baseball and Cavallaro notched five strikeouts.
The Dogs jumped on Fargo-Moorhead starter Peyton Wigginton early. Crouse singled and was driven in by a Lidge groundout, and it took Hobson one pitch to take a fastball deep to right field and over the fence. After one frame, Chicago looked strong with a 2-0 lead.
Fargo-Moorhead answered with a run of their own, but the Dogs tacked on two more runs in the third off of true team baseball. Crouse and second baseman Grant Kay both singled and stole a base to put runners on second and third. Lidge again knocked in Crouse with a groundout, and Hobson did the same to score Kay.
Standing manager Joe Dominiak's squad looked poised for a smooth win, but the RedHawks quickly shut down that narrative. Center fielder Evan Alexander's double put runners on second and third with nobody out. Kinley struck out the next two and got right fielder John Silviano to pop up to shallow left field, but between three Dogs fielders the ball dropped in for a two RBI single. Left fielder Rymer Liriano then unleashed on a home run and suddenly the RedHawks led 5-4.
That score stood until the fifth inning. Crouse again singled and stole a base to give Hobson another RBI chance and he took it. His double scored Crouse and tied the game at five. The Dogs tallied eight hits against Wigginton in his five innings.
Cavallaro got out of a jam in the sixth inning and, almost like deja vu, Crouse led the next frame off with a hit, this time a double. Kay singled to put runners on the corners, then Lidge again came through with a single through the infield that Crouse scored on easily. Hobson attacked on the first pitch and stunned Silviano in the outfield. The ball sailed over his head to bring in two more runs and make the score 8-5.
Chicago scored one more run, courtesy of Crouse RBI single, and Marnon shut the door in the ninth to secure the win. In the finale of a series headlined by mound dominance, the bats came to play late to push Chicago to their third straight win. With the win, the Dogs move their divisional lead to 9.5 games over the second-place Kane County Cougars and shake up the Western Division hierarchy to give the Kansas City Monarchs a half game lead over Fargo-Moorhead.
After a Monday off day, the Dogs will return home to Impact Field for a three game set against the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
American Association Stories from July 17, 2022
- Goldeyes Blank RailCats to Split Series - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Goldeyes Blank RailCats in Series Finale - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Late Offense Wills the Dogs to a 9-5 Win, Take Hold on League's Best Record - Chicago Dogs
- Milkmen Spoil Series Finale - Kane County Cougars
- 'Hounds Fall to Monarchs in Series Finale - Lake Country DockHounds
- Cougars fall to Milkmen 9-4 on Saturday Night - Kane County Cougars
- RailCats Hold Goldeyes off for Second Straight Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- 'Dogs Walked off in Cleburne - Lincoln Saltdogs
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