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AA Winnipeg Goldeyes

Pitching and Defence Not Enough for Winnipeg

June 22, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release


The Winnipeg Goldeyes got a wild start from Mark Hardy and some solid relief work from Gabe Aguilar and Kaohi Downing, but by leaving their bats at home, they weren't going to beat Eddie McKiernan, P.J. Zocchi and R.J. Rodriguez.

Hardy gave up four runs on four hits and six walks, while Aguilar and Downing held the Lincoln Saltdogs scoreless for four innings. However, the Goldeyes managed only one run on four hits against Lincoln's ace starter, reliable set-up man and star closer and as a result they fell 4-1 to the visitors from Nebraska.

"They were able to capitalize on our mistakes and we weren't able to capitalize on theirs," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "We had a runner at third with nobody out in the eighth and we couldn't bring him home. Then in the ninth, they made an error and we had a couple of runners on with one out and couldn't get either one of them home. You have to take advantage of the other team's mistakes or you aren't going to win many games."

With the loss, Winnipeg dropped to 18-17 on the season and fell a game and a half behind Fargo in the race for first in the American Association's North Division. On Sunday, the Goldeyes will try to gain a split in this four-game set with the Saltdogs.

Lincoln scored twice in the second inning with two outs, as Hardy loaded the bases and then walked in Tyler Goodro and Brian Embry. In the third, Hardy walked the leadoff man, David Espinosa, who came around to score on a single by Goodro. Then in the fifth, Fogarth was safe on an error and he eventually scored on a double by Mike Provencher.

The Goldeyes only run came in the seventh when Josh Mazzola was safe on a fielder's choice and scored all the way from first on a double by Luis Alen.

The only Goldeyes batter to manage a multi-hit game was Leonard Davis, who had a double and a single.

Meanwhile, Lincoln pounded out eight hits and had a total of nine walks against three Winnipeg pitchers. The Saltdogs left 12 men on base.

McKiernan (6-1, 2.34 ERA) picked up the win for Lincoln, while Rodriguez got the save, his league-leading 14th. Hardy (4-2, 2.79 ERA) suffered the loss for Winnipeg.

"That's what happens sometimes with young pitchers," said Forney. "He pitched nine innings in his previous outing and he came out tonight and he was a different pitcher. When you're a sinker-ball pitcher, you can't be missing at the top of the zone. But that's what happens. He comes back out after pitching a complete game and he just wasn't the same."

The two teams will go at it again on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Shaw Park. Newcomer Ryan Sasaki will start for Winnipeg, while Pete Parise will take the ball for Lincoln.

Tickets for all Goldeyes games are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Ticketmaster.ca, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including the Shaw Park box office.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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