Pheasants stay hot with win in Lincoln
Published on July 23, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
LINCOLN, Neb. - As soon as Gus Milner scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on Friday night, Aaron Cotter started warming up. It didn't take long on a hot and muggy night in Lincoln for the Sioux Falls Pheasants closer to be ready, and he promptly tossed a perfect ninth to give the Pheasants a 5-4 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs.
The win was Sioux Falls' fifth in a row and increased their league-best record to 47-19. They hold first place in the North Division's second-half race with a 15-3 record.
Cotter earned his 17th save of the season, tying him with Lincoln's Chris Thompson for the league lead. Cotter made his fourth appearance in the last five Pheasants games, notching his third save this week. He has converted his last seven save opportunities and not allowed a run since July 12.
For the third consecutive night, Pheasants catcher Eddy Rodriguez was at the scene of the game-winning run. With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the ninth, Gus Milner sent a gapper to left-center field for a triple. He plated the go-ahead run on a wild pitch from Lincoln reliever Nolan Chestnut (2-1) while Rodriguez was at bat. Lincoln leads the league with 76 wild pitches.
The Pheasants took an early 3-0 lead on Hunter Jobes' three-run, opposite-field home run in the second inning. It was his fifth homer of the season. Lincoln cleanup man Argelis Nunez overtook the Pheasants with two home runs, a solo shot in the second and a three-run bomb in the sixth.
Sioux Falls tied the ballgame in the top of the seventh on a two-out, bloop single from Joe Anthonsen that scored Rodriguez, who had just doubled.
Pheasants starter Travis Kane pitched five-plus strong innings, allowing just one hit and three runs. Andrew Pluta (4-2) picked up a win for the second consecutive night for tossing a scoreless eighth inning.
Sioux Falls continues the three-game series with the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010, in Lincoln, Neb. The game will be broadcast live on Sioux Falls Sports Radio 1230-AM KWSN and www.kwsn.com.
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 July 23, 2010
- Pheasants stay hot with win in Lincoln - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wild pitch again scores run that costs Lincoln - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Spiers Sparks Wingnuts Over Saints - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Lose Battle of All-Star Arms 6-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Rodriguez first to 10 wins as Captains nip Grand Prairie - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- McClelland Era Begins October 15th - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saltdogs' Machado Added to All-Star Team - Lincoln Saltdogs
- All-Star Schedule of Events Announced - Wichita Wingnuts
- Pheasants Slam Sioux City For Series Sweep - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Marquez Starts And Ends Captains' 11-Inning Win - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
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