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AA Sioux Falls Canaries

Pheasants Can't Catch Goldeyes

August 29, 2011 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


SIOUX FALLS- The Sioux Falls Pheasants fell behind the Winnipeg Goldeyes early and could not catch up, dropping an 8-5 loss on Monday at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Goldeyes started fast, scoring two runs in each of the first three innings off starter Adam Cowart. Luis Alen led the offensive charge for Winnipeg, going 2-for-5 with a double, home run and three RBI. Jon Weber added three hits and scored twice.

Winnipeg starter Chris Salamida (11-4) threw six strong innings to collect the win. The left-hander did not allow a hit in his final three innings of work.

The Pheasants took the first two games of the four-game series and still have a chance to finish the year on a high note with a series-clinching win on Tuesday.

"Guys will come out and play," said manager Steve Shirley, regarding the team playing its final game of the 2011 season on Tuesday. "[Kyle] Ruwe will go out and expect to win. We've got more one game and guys will still come out and play. I know Ruwe expects to go out and give us a chance to win."

The Pheasants' defense was shaky throughout the game, committing four errors.

The Birds tried to keep pace with the North Division champs. Francisco Leandro's RBI double in the second plated the Pheasants' first run, and Trevor Lawhorn followed with a run-scoring single to bring home Leandro, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Cowart settled in after the third, holding the Goldeyes to just one hit in the next three innings. The lone hit was a solo home run by Alen to leadd off the fifth and increase the Goldeyes' lead to 7-3. Cowart (5-8) completed six innings while allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits in a losing effort.

Sioux Falls' offense sputtered in the middle innings. After 15 at-bats without a hit, the Pheasants tallied four hits in the eighth to cut the Goldeyes' lead to 8-5. Lawhorn came to bat representing the tying run, but reliever Aaron Cook induced Lawhorn to ground into a fielder's choice to end the rally.

The first two batters reached base for Sioux Falls against closer Jamie Vermilyea in the ninth, but the Pheasants could not pull any closer. Vermilyea struck out Gus Milner for the final out of the game to record his 17th save of the season.

Mark Shorey had two RBI singles to lead Sioux Falls.

The Pheasants fell to 42-56 with the loss.

The Pheasants take the field for the final time in 2011, starting at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30, at Sioux Falls Stadium. The season concludes with Fan Appreciation Night. Fans can count on a lot of great Pheasants loot being thrown out into the crowd, along with fun games and entertainment all night long in the final contest of the year. It's also Double Play Tuesday; fans can purchase 2-for-1 tickets.

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