Pheasants Win Third in a Row
Published on June 4, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS - The Sioux Falls Pheasants used quality pitching, timely hitting and stellar defense in a 6-2 victory over the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Monday night at Sioux Falls Stadium.
The Pheasants won their third consecutive contest for the first time this year, improving to 9-8 on the season. They are over .500 for the first time this season.
No Sioux Falls batters reached in the first three innings against RailCats starter Stephen Hiscock (0-1), but the Pheasants never trailed after Jonny Kaplan reached on an error in the fourth and Jared Bolden's single knocked him home for the game's first run.
Pheasants starter Peter Gehle (1-1) turned in a quality start on the way to his first victory of the year. After surrendering eight runs in short start against Gary SouthShore last week, Gehle limited the RailCats to one run on six hits in six innings. Just one hit was for extra bases.
"I didn't really change my process from last time, I just got better results this time," Gehle said. "A lot of credit goes to [Pheasants catcher] Al Quintana. We're on the same page....He knew exactly what I wanted to throw."
Gehle was helped by solid defense, particularly shortstop Cory Morales and second baseman Joe Anthonsen who combined to turn three double plays.
"We're pretty good. We don't make many mistakes. The double plays are complete inning-killers." Morales said. "Joe and I have great chemistry."
A day after providing a game-winning, walk-off hit, Morales delivered the key hit for second straight day. He belted a bases-clearing, three-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning. RailCats outfielder Mike Coles crashed against the right field wall attempting to catch Morales' drive and came up empty.
Bolden followed Morales with his second RBI single, extending the Pheasants lead to 5-0. Bolden finished the night 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Cristian Guerrero punctuated the Pheasants' scoring with a moonshot, solo home run in the eighth, his fourth of the year and first at home.
Leading 5-2 in the eighth, Kyle Mertins inherited a first-and-third, one-out jam but struck out Sean Smith and induced Kyle Haines to ground out to end the inning. He pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.
Hiscock suffered his first loss in his first professional start. He lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs, three earned, on three hits.
The Pheasants seek a fourth straight victory against Gary SouthShore at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, at Sioux Falls Stadium. It's a Double Play Tuesday, where grandstand tickets can be purchased 2-for-1. Kids FREE in June continues as well. Two tickets for children 12-and-under are free with the purchase of any regular-priced adult ticket.
Notes: Jonny Kaplan snapped a 17-game hitting streak. He went 0-for-4 but scored a run.
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