Packed house sees Pheasants' walkoff win
Published on August 27, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A crowd of 3, 819 -- the largest of the year at Sioux Falls Stadium -- turned out Friday night expecting a great fireworks show at the end of the game. They were rewarded with that and more as they watched the Sioux Falls Pheasants beat the St. Paul Saints in a 4-3 walkoff win.
After doubling to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning, Will Richards moved to third on Joe Anthonsen's sacrifice bunt and scored on the subsequent throwing error from Saints' reliever Marcus McKenzie.
The Pheasants' victory coupled with Wichita's loss to El Paso reduced the first-place Pheasants' magic number to one. Sioux Falls can clinch the second-half division title with either a win on Saturday night or a Wichita defeat. Sioux City and Lincoln are tied for a potential wild card playoff spot. There are two games remaining in the regular season.
Beau Torbert led off the eighth inning with a solo home run to tie the game at 3-3. The high-arcing fly ball landed in the left field party deck for his 24th round-tripper of the year. Torbert continued his quest for a .400 season average by going 2-for-4 and raising his average to .396.
Anthonsen contributed significantly despite being hitless in the game. He scored twice after drawing two walks and had two sacrifice hits, including the bunt in the bottom of the ninth.
Pheasants starter Chris Salberg fell short of his bid for a league-best 12th win and took a no-decision. Reliever Ben Rosen (2-0) picked up his second victory this year with two scoreless innings pitched in the eighth and ninth. Over the last six games, the Pheasants' bullpen has tossed 13 consecutive innings without allowing a run.
McKenzie (0-1) took the loss, giving up the tying and winning runs.
The Pheasants can clinch the second-half division title at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, August 28. It's a Grand Slam Saturday, where a lucky fan will have the chance to drive away in a new 2010 Ford Focus, courtesy of Sioux Falls Ford.
The Pheasants are members of the American Association, a 10-team independent professional baseball league playing its fifth season this summer. Individual and group ticket information is available by calling (605) 333-0179. Fans can also visit the Pheasants at www.sfpheasants.com.
American Association Stories from August 27, 2010
- Saltdogs Slug Way To Wild Card Tie - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Pitching huge again as Captains win ninth straight - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Packed house sees Pheasants' walkoff win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Face Must Win Situation After Loss to El Paso - Wichita Wingnuts
- Diablos Deal Wichita Costly Loss - El Paso Diablos
- Saints Lose Heart Breaker in Ninth 4-3 - St. Paul Saints
- X's En Route to Lincoln to Capture Playoff Spot - Sioux City Explorers
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