Lincoln Beats Canaries To Clinch Playoff Berth
August 30, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
Sioux Falls, SD - The Sioux Falls Canaries (19-29) could not deliver a win to a crowd of 3,139 on the final day of the 2009 American Association season, losing 8-1 to the Lincoln Saltdogs (27-21). By virtue of their win over the Canaries, the Saltdogs clinched an American Association playoff berth.
Lincoln took the lead in the top of the third inning. Argelis Nunez walked, and Rafael Alvarez followed with a double to right field. Nunez advanced to third on the double, but when the throw from Beau Torbert got by shortstop Tim Hutting, Nunez came in and scored to give the Saltdogs a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Gavin Dickey hit a sacrifice fly to score Alvarez for a two-run lead, 2-0.
The Canaries got one run back in the bottom of the second. The bases were loaded on back-to-back singles by Beau Torbert and Cory Harris, and a walk by Trevor Lawhorn. Jared Lemieux grounded into a fielder's choice to score Torbert, and halve the Saltdogs lead, 2-1.
Lincoln pulled away with three runs in the third. Phil Hawke singled to score Albenis Machado for a 3-1, Lincoln lead. After Argelis Nunez walked, Rafael Alvarez hit a two-run double to give the Saltdogs a four-run lead, 5-1.
Lincoln got two more in the sixth and one in the eighth. In the sixth, Rafael Alvarez hit his seventh home run of the season, and Brandon Jones doubled home Shea McFeely. Two innings later, Shawn McGill hit his seventh home run of the year. The late runs let Lincoln pull away in an 8-1 win over the Canaries.
Justin Knoff (1-1) avenged his loss in relief on Friday by pitching five innings and allowing just one run on four hits to secure the playoff-clinching win. Noel Baca (3-7) lost his fourth consecutive start, allowing five runs, one earned, on four hits in five innings of work.
The Sioux Falls Canaries end the 2009 season with a record of 40-56.
American Association Stories from August 30, 2009
- American Association Recap - AA
- Diablos Finish on High Note - El Paso Diablos
- Diablos rally for 5-4 win - Fort Worth Cats
- X's Drop Season Finale to Saints 5-3 - Sioux City Explorers
- Saints Wrap-Up 2009 Season With 5-3 Win Over X's - St. Paul Saints
- Pelicans Close Regular Season With Timely Win - Pensacola Pelicans
- Captains' season ends with shutout loss - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Playoff bound Wingnuts finish regular season - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saltdogs Clinch Playoff Berth With 8-1 Win - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Lincoln Beats Canaries To Clinch Playoff Berth - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wichita's Porter Named Player Of The Year - AA
- Greg Porter Named American Association League MVP - Wichita Wingnuts
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