Pitching Purrs as Goldeyes Beat RailCats
Published on July 15, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
It's arguable, but the Winnipeg Goldeyes just might have played one of their best games of the season. And it took only two hours and 10 minutes to complete.
On Wednesday night at Shaw Park, Luis Alen and Josh Mazzola each hit two-run homers, while starter Tony Smith and four relievers were rock solid as the Goldeyes shut out the Gary SouthShore RailCats 5-2 in the first game of a four-game series in downtown Winnipeg.
Smith went six complete innings, allowing no runs on four scattered hits, while relievers Rett Varner and Brad Mincey pitched two scoreless innings and Mike Noteware and Jailen Peguero put the game away in the ninth.
Meanwhile, the Goldeyes offence put up a run in the third, two in the fifth and two more sixth to improve to 22-28 on the season and get back in the win column after Monday's heartbreaking 2-1 loss to St. Paul. With the loss, Gary fell to 23-27.
"I had command of my fastball tonight," said Smith, who was clearly the player of the game. "I had it moving inside and out tonight. I just went out there to pound the strike zone. I'm really enjoying being a starter and I just want to keep it going, keep helping this team win."
Winnipeg opened the scoring in the third when Brad Boyer singled, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, tagged and went to third on a long fly ball off the bat of Luis Alen and scored on a balk by Gary starter Andy Roberts.
The Goldeyes added two more in the fifth when Canadian rookie Chris Robinson singled and came home on a two-run homer by Alen, who now has a Goldeyes record 326 career RBI.
Winnipeg made it 5-0 in the seventh when Adam Heisler doubled and came home on Josh Mazzola's league-leading 12th home run of the season.
Gary scored a couple of runs in the ninth off Noteware and closer Peguero, but it was way too little, way too late.
Winnipeg finished with five runs on seven hits, while Gary had one run on seven hits. With a single and a double, Heisler has the Goldeyes only multi-hit game.
Smith (3-1, 2.93 ERA) got the win for Winnipeg, while Roberts (0-5, 5.58 ERA) was tagged with the loss. Peguero (3.91 ERA) got the save, his 10th of the season.
The Goldeyes and RailCats will play Game 2 of this four-game series on Thursday night at 7:05 at Shaw Park. Right-hander Coby Cowgill (2-2, 4.82) will get the start for Winnipeg, while Travis McGhee (1-0, 4.50 ERA) will take to the bump for Gary.
American Association Stories from July 15, 2015
- Blasters Fall Twice to Amarillo - Joplin Blasters
- RedHawks Win Third Straight - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- American Association Game Recap - AA
- Pitching Purrs as Goldeyes Beat RailCats - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Second Half Starts Same as First, Saints Win 3-1 - St. Paul Saints
- Patrick Johnson Allows Only Two Hits In 1-0 Win Vs Laredo - Sioux City Explorers
- T-Bones Shutout 'Dogs to Stop Streak - Lincoln Saltdogs
- T-Bones Take Opener in Lincoln - Kansas City Monarchs
- Canaries Sign Infielder Michael Broad - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Stay Busy on Road with Key Moves - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Homestand Comes to Exciting End with 4-3 Walk-Off - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Game Recap - AA
- Blasters Lose to Wichita on Walk-Off - Joplin Blasters
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