Pheasants Grab 2-0 Series Lead with Walk Off Winner
Published on September 1, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Sioux Falls Pheasants fans may want to keep some blood pressure medication handy. For the second night in a row on Wednesday, the faithful at Sioux Falls Stadium were treated to a dramatic Pheasants win.
The Pheasants outlasted the Lincoln Saltdogs in 11 innings, winning Game 2 of the North Division Finals, 4-3. Eddy Rodriguez brought home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning with a sacrifice fly.
The victory gives the Pheasants a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. The series winner advances to play the South Division champion. The Shreveport-Bossier Captains have a 2-0 lead over the Pensacola Pelicans in the South Division Finals.
The Pheasants built a 3-1 lead after four innings, thanks in part to Joe Anthonsen's leadoff home run in the first inning and an RBI single in the fourth. Anthonsen did not have a home run in the regular season and has homered just twice in his professional career. He led the Pheasants with a 4-for-5 performance and two RBI.
Anthonsen also helped the team's cause with a slew of spectacular defensive plays. He saved a sure run in the third inning with a diving stop on Pat Trettel's ground ball up the middle.
Lincoln tied the game in the sixth inning on Phil Hawke's two-run home run, his first of the postseason.
The Pheasants bullpen relieved starter Chris Salberg and limited the Saltdogs to only one hit in four shutout innings. Brandon Rapoza induced a groundout to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Aaron Cotter allowed a hit but faced the minimum in the ninth and 10th innings, and Ben Rosen (1-0) took care of the 11th inning. The Pheasants' bullpen has not allowed a run in the first two postseason games.
Brandon Sing led off the bottom of the 11th with a double to the left field corner. After Tim Hutting sacrificed Sing to third, reliever Tycen Povey (0-1) intentionally walked the bases loaded to set up a force situation. Rodriguez followed with the sacrifice fly.
The Pheasants go for a series sweep at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, September 3, in Lincoln. Probable starters are Lincoln RHP Chris Cullen (0-0) against Sioux Falls LHP Ryan Rodriguez (0-0).
American Association Stories from September 1, 2010
- Pheasants Grab 2-0 Series Lead with Walk Off Winner - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Lincoln Drops Game Two in 11 Innings - Lincoln Saltdogs
- More Big Hits Give Captains 2-0 Series Lead - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Torbert Adds More Accolades to Long List - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Torbert, Pollok August Players Of The Month - AA
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