Pitching Strong in Kansas City
Published on May 14, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Goldeyes defeated the Kansas City T-Bones 5-1 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Friday night.
For a third straight exhibition game, the Goldeyes' pitching staff shined. Seven Goldeyes' arms, led by starter Zach Dando, combined to allow one earned run on just four total hits. The group also struck out nine batters, bringing the staff's spring total to 27 punchouts in 27.0 frames.
"I thought the guys threw really well," said Goldeyes' hitting coach Tom Vaeth on the postgame show. "It's always tough on a day you travel, especially on a 12-plus hour drive. I thought the guys played well, and the at bats got better as the evening went on."
Tied at 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning, new catcher Tanner Murphy ripped a single through the right side to plate Josh Romanski with the go-ahead run. Murphy then broke up a potential inning-ending double play at second base, by forcing T-Bones' second baseman Brett Wiley to make an errant throw to first. The play resulted in Casio Grider scoring the Goldeyes' third run of the game.
The Goldeyes' bullpen made the lead stick. Trevor Lubking chipped in two perfect innings to earn the win. Kevin Becker-Menditto, Brandon Shimo, Conor Spink, Eric Sim, and Cameron McVey all combined for another three and one-third scoreless.
After drawing 10 walks in Wednesday's win over Fargo-Moorhead, the Goldeyes (2-1 this spring) worked seven free passes on Friday, including five straight in the top of the ninth that led to a pair of insurance runs.
"You've got to compete when you're at the plate," said Vaeth. "It's satisfying and gratifying to go up and see these guys battle through some long at bats."
Winnipeg jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. With two outs and no one on base, Reggie Abercrombie reached on an error by shortstop Vladimir Frias . Abercrombie went to third when Jacob Rogers singled through the left side, and scored the game's first run on Frias' second error of the inning.
Former Goldeye Jake Blackwood tied the game in the bottom of the second. Anthony Gallas reached on an infield single, advanced to second on an error, and scored when Blackwood hit a soft line drive to right-centre. Later in the inning, Kansas City nearly took the lead. With Frias on first and two outs, Cole Leonida lifted a flyball to left field that was taken by the wind and eventually broke off Adam Heisler's glove. An alert Heisler recovered in time to fire the ball home. Murphy received the throw a few feet up the third base line and lunged back in the direction of the plate to tag Frias for the final out.
Dando took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on three hits in three and one-third innings. Dando walked zero and struck out one.
"He (Dando) brings versatility to your staff," said Vaeth. "He got early outs, and that's what you want to see from a pitcher. It's just going to mean really good things for us in the future."
Sean Furney started for the T-Bones (1-4 this spring) and also took a no-decision. Furney allowed one unearned run on two hits in four innings, walking one, and striking out five.
Jeremy Strawn took the loss in relief for Kansas City. Strawn was charged with two earned runs in four innings of work.
"As you start getting deeper into exhibition games, you want to see consistency from pitchers and hitters," said Vaeth. "We just need to keep finding the barrel, and when we keep doing that, we're going to be a very tough offence to compete against."
The Goldeyes and T-Bones continue their series at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on 93.7 CJNU and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca
The Winnipeg Goldeyes open the 2016 regular season on May 19th at Joplin. Winnipeg's 2016 home opener is scheduled for Monday, May 30th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. Individual tickets for all 2016 Winnipeg Goldeyes home games at Shaw Park are on sale now by calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting www.ticketmaster.ca.
American Association Stories from May 14, 2016
- Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Blasters Cruise in Spring Training Victory over Topeka - Joplin Blasters
- Wichita, Gary Play to Scoreless Tie - Wichita Wingnuts
- Coe Strikes out 14 as Saints Take Down Metro Minny All-Stars in Exhbition Game 9-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Pitching Strong in Kansas City - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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