Ramon Pushes Goldeyes Back to .500
July 23, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
In the midst of a terrible slump, Amos Ramon stepped up to play the hero's role at Shaw Park on Tuesday night.
With 6,147 fans cheering wildly, Ramon delivered a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the eighth inning to drive home two runs and give the Winnipeg Goldeyes a 6-4 win over the visiting Sioux Falls Canaries.
Coming to the plate zero-for-three on the evening and one-for-36 in his last 11 games, Ramon took a fastball the opposite way to score pinch-runner Jordan Guida, along with Josh Mazzola, as the Goldeyes came back from a 4-1 deficit after an inning an a half to score one in the second, two in the seventh and two more in the eighth.
With the win, the Goldeyes got back to .500 at 30-30, won their third straight game and stayed seven-and-a-half games back of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the race for first in the American Association's North Division. It was also a great way to start an 11-games-in-10-days homestand.
"Amos has been scuffling lately, but he'd lined out earlier in the ball game and after that he took some better swings and had some better at-bats," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "You know how Amos can be when he gets going, when he heats up and gets some confidence. Maybe that was the hit that will get him going again.
"We're going to let Amos play through it. He's been scuffling, but he's done a lot of great things for us the past couple of years and he's earned everybody's patience."
Sioux Falls opened the scoring with three runs in the first off of Goldeyes starter Matt Rusch, but Winnipeg answered with a single run in the bottom of the first, as Tyler Graham singled, stole second and scored on a single by Ryan Scoma.
After Sioux Falls took a 4-1 lead in the top of the second, the Goldeyes answered with a run in the bottom of the second as Fehlandt Lentini doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Luis Alen.
The Goldeyes tied the game in the seventh, as Alen walked and went to third on a single by Tyler Graham. Graham stole second and then Alen scored on an error by Sioux Falls shortstop Cory Morales. Graham then came home on a double by Ray Sadler and the Goldeyes had tied it up at 4-4.
That set up Winnipeg's huge eighth inning. Casey Haerther had a terrific at bat to lead off the inning and drilled a single to centre. Mazzola then walked and Haerther was replaced by pinch-runner Jordan Guida. Lentini laid down a bunt that moved Guida and Mazzola up 90 feet, Alen was walked intentionally and then Ramon delivered the double that won the ball game.
Brendan Lafferty (2-1, 4.65 ERA) got the win in relief of Rusch, who was rock solid through seven innings after a rough first inning. Closer Patrick Keating earned his 12th save. Sioux Falls reliever Kirk Clark (0-3, 4.37 ERA) suffered the loss in relief of starter Mitchell Clegg who allowed only two runs on six hits through six innings.
The Goldeyes and Canaries will meet in Game 2 of this three-game series on Wednesday night, 7:00 p.m. at Shaw Park. Pete Gehle will get the start for Winnipeg, while Adam Champion will take the ball for Sioux Falls.
Tickets for all Goldeyes games are available through Ticketmaster by calling 1-855-GOLDEYE, clicking on Ticketmaster.ca or visiting any Ticketmaster location, including the Shaw Park box office.
American Association Stories from July 23, 2013
- Seven-Run Third Catapults Redhawks To 7-5 Victory - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Carroll Contract Sold to D-Backs - Laredo Lemurs
- T-Bones Blast Past Lemurs - Kansas City Monarchs
- An Inferno of Home Runs Lead to AirHogs' Victory - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Ramon Pushes Goldeyes Back to .500 - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Birds Lose Late Lead in Winnipeg - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Shutout Explorers 1-0 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Aigles Get Big Seventh to Take Inter-League Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints Can't Hold Five Run Lead, Lose 7-5 to RedHawks - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts and Sox Suspended Due to Storm - Wichita Wingnuts
- Homestand Highlights: July 23 - August 1 - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- A Call To Arms: Saints Add Bryan Henry And Former Saint Jon Plefka To Bullpen - St. Paul Saints
- Papa John's to Present Inaugural Championship Week - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - July 23rd, 2013 - Wichita Wingnuts
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.
