Shirley Tops All-Time in Sioux Falls with 201st Win
Published on July 25, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
LINCOLN, Neb. - True to form for the team Steve Shirley has assembled in 2010, the Sioux Falls Pheasants were powered by two home runs and dominant starting pitching to beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 5-1 on Sunday night.
The victory was Shirley's 201st as the Sioux Falls skipper, surpassing Doc Edwards (2000-2004) for the most in franchise history. Shirley previously managed the Sioux City Explorers (2005) and has a career record of 233 - 187.
Since Shirley took over as manager in 2007, the Sioux Falls club has been the most successful franchise in the American Association with a 201-155 record. They have averaged at least 50 wins in each season under Shirley.
"We congratulate Steve on this milestone in his managing career," Pheasants owner and CEO Gary Weckwerth said. "I know he won't take the credit and will pass it on to the men that have played for him, but he does deserve a lot of credit. He's proven that guys like playing for him, and that translates to wins. We are fortunate to have him leading our baseball operations."
Beau Torbert belted a solo home run - his 16th - in the second inning to give the Pheasants the lead for good. Reggie Abercrombie blasted a three-run round-tripper in the fourth. It was Abercrombie's 18th of the year. Abercrombie was 2-for-5 with three RBI.
The 4-0 lead was plenty for Pheasants starter Ben Moore (9-5), who fanned 10 batters for the fourth time this season. Moore boosted his league-leading strikeout total to 100. He has now struck out at least 100 batters in four consecutive seasons. Moore is on pace to surpass the single-season record of 111, set by Ft. Worth's Cory Walters in 2006.
Moore allowed only one run and just seven hits over seven innings in his third consecutive victory as a starter. He walked two batters.
Pheasants leadoff hitter Joe Anthonsen collected four hits for the fifth time this season. He was 4-for-5 with a run scored.
The Pheasants are in first place with a 16-4 second-half record. They are best in the league with a 48-20 overall record.
The Pheasants are off tomorrow for the American Association all-star break. Seven Pheasants will participate in the All-Star Game at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, in Wichita, Kan. The game broadcast will be carried live on Sioux Falls Sports Radio 1230-AM KWSN and www.kwsn.com. The Pheasants will open a four-game series against St. Paul at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28 in St. Paul, Minn.
American Association Stories from July 25, 2010
- American Association Recap - AA
- El Paso Wins Fourth Straight - El Paso Diablos
- All 11 AirHogs Chip in to Stop Captains Sweep - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Shirley Tops All-Time in Sioux Falls with 201st Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Lincoln Bats Quiet In Loss - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts Roll into Break with Shutout - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Head into All-Star Break with 8-0 Loss - St. Paul Saints
- American Association Recap - AA
- Saints Squeak Past Wingnuts in Ninth - Wichita Wingnuts
- El Paso Wins Fourth Straight - El Paso Diablos
- Worth the Wait as Saints Win 4-2 - St. Paul Saints
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