Pheasants Sweep First-Place Winnipeg
Published on July 24, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS- The Sioux Falls Pheasants picked the right time to play their best baseball of the year.
Behind the second complete game in as many days, this one from Kyle Ruwe, and a five-run first inning, the Pheasants completed the series sweep of first-place Winnipeg Goldeyes, 8-4, Sunday at Sioux Falls Stadium. It is the team's first three-game sweep of the season.
"It's exciting because they're a very good team and we were up to the challenge," said manager Steve Shirley. " We got another great pitching performance, some key hits in key situations and great defense, I don't know how many double plays we turned in the series. It was an impressive performance all the way around."
The game got off to a raucous start with the Goldeyes scoring three runs before Ruwe could record an out. A lead-off walk followed by a double by Kody Kaiser put runners at second and third for Wes Long. Long connected for a three-run home run to give Winnipeg an early 3-0 lead.
"It was definitely a rough start," Ruwe said. "But I fell into a groove there, we were able to get up a few runs and good things happen."
The Pheasants offense picked up their starter in the bottom of the first, making quick work of Ruwe's counterpart, Isaac Hess. Trevor Lawhorn's double scored Joe Anthonsen for Sioux Falls' first run. Reggie Abercrombie and Mark Shorey both reached to load the bases with nobody out. Hess retired the next two batters before Francisco Leandro delivered with a two-out, two-run single to tie the game. Kevin Carby capped off the inning with a two-run triple to put the Pheasants, 5-3.
"That really set the tone for the rest of the game," Shirley said.
Hess (4-2) took the loss, giving up five runs in 2/3 innings.
Ruwe (4-3) recovered from the shaky first inning to go the distance, giving up four runs on nine hits. The right-hander held the Goldeyes scoreless in the final seven innings, allowing only three hits in that stretch. He is 3-0 in his last six starts.
Gus Milner single-handedly created a run in the third. Batting with two outs and nobody on base, Milner singled, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Luis Alen and trotted home on a wild pitch from reliever Ian Thomas to increase the Sioux Falls lead to 6-4.
Thomas kept Winnipeg in the game after the early exit from Hess, giving up one hit while striking out six in 3 1/3 innings of work.
The Birds gave Ruwe some insurance runs in the fifth. Milner smacked an RBI triple and Leandro brought home Milner with a double to push the Pheasants' lead to four runs.
Brian Myrow had three hits to lead Winnipeg.
The four-game winning streak ties a season record. With the sweep, the Pheasants moved into third place in the North division with a record of 31-36.
The Pheasants head east to begin a three-game series with the Gary SouthShore RailCats at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, July 25. The game will be broadcast live on 1230-AM KWSN and online at kwsn.com.
American Association Stories from July 24, 2011
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Patterson's Two Home Runs Spark Cats as Captains Are Shutout 10-0 in Series Finale - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Pheasants Sweep First-Place Winnipeg - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Mitchell dominates, Sox sweep AirHogs with 5-2 win - Amarillo ThunderHeads
- Mitchell Leads Sox to Sweep of AirHogs - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- 'Dogs Can't Overcome Big KC Third, Drop Finale - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Diablos Hang on Against Wingnuts - Wichita Wingnuts
- Six-Run Third Propels T-Bones to Series Victory - Kansas City Monarchs
- Goldeyes Swept in Weekend Set with Sioux Falls - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Tie Franchise Record with Ninth Straight Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Saints Have All The Wright Stuff in 7-3 Win - St. Paul Saints
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