Walker Strong in Final Outing, Paces Goldeyes to 5-2 Win
Published on May 10, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Right-handed pitcher Ace Walker spent most of the off-season working on his release point and mechanics in an effort to create more arm speed.
After watching Walker at Shaw Park yesterday, Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney called it "mission accomplished."
Walker threw four innings of one-hit baseball while right-fielder Victor Ferrante went three-for-four with a run scored and an RBI as the Winnipeg Goldeyes beat the St. Paul Saints 5-2 in front of 2,694 at Winnipeg's downtown ballpark.
"Victor is really looking good at the plate right now," said Forney after the game. "I give him a lot of credit. He paid money out of his own pocket to play in that Arizona Spring League so that he could get some extra at-bats before coming to camp. He's ready to go. He's had some at-bats prior to coming to training camp and he looks real good."
Walker, who came on in the second inning in relief of starter T.J. Macy, allowed no runs on just one hit and because the man who got that hit - St. Paul third baseman Steve Mays was caught stealing - Walker faced the minimum 12 batters over four innings.
"Ace is throwing the ball real well," Forney said. "Ace has more arm speed this year because of the work he did in the off season. He tweaked his delivery and worked on his mechanics and he's come back a better pitcher. The ball is coming out of his hand better."
Macy, a rookie who started the game, struggled in the first inning, allowing two runs on only hit with three walks. As a result, Forney released Macy and added Barry Fowler to the roster, about 24 hours after Foster had been released.
"It's been quite a couple of days," Forney said. "Somebody pitched his way onto the team in training camp and somebody else pitched his way off the team in training camp. It's tough for me as a manager to have to give people the bad news but the bottom line is, this is a business and sometimes it can be a cruel one."
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first, the Goldeyes bounced back and tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first when Ferrante singled home Kody Kaiser and then Justin Bass walked to drive in Brian Myrow.
The Fish made it 3-2 in the third when Amos Ramon doubled and scored on a single by Luis Alen and then in the fifth, Kaiser made it 4-2 when he tripled and scored on an errant throw by St. Paul right-fielder Jason Cooper.
The Goldeyes rounded out the scoring in the eighth when Ferrante singled, went to third on a single by Alen and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Bass.
While Walker pitched four scoreless innings, Mike Williams, William Jackel, Kevin Light and Chad Benefield also pitched one scoreless inning each. It was a great day for the Goldeyes pitching staff.
"I'm getting excited about the regular season starting on Thursday," Forney said. "Guys are getting to the ballpark early and they're excited about being at the park. Hopefully we can stay healthy and keep playing the way we're playing now."
The pre-season exhibition schedule is finished and the 2011 regular season will begin on Thursday night as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks come to Winnipeg for a four-game series. There will be fireworks on both Thursday and Friday night, plenty of prizes on Opening Night and Friday night is Student Night. Saturday's promotion is Wedding Night and Sunday, it's a Salute to Dancing Gabe.
Game time Thursday and Friday is 7 p.m., Saturday it's 6 p.m. and on Sunday it's 1:30 in the afternoon.
The Goldeyes pitching rotation for Opening Weekend has been set: Newcomer Isaac Hess will be the Opening Night starter, Dustin Glant will get the call on Friday night, Ace Walker goes Saturday and Chris Salamida will start on Sunday afternoon.
American Association Stories from May 10, 2011
- Guerra, Long Balls Propel Wingnuts to Final Spring Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Final RailCats Exhibition Washed Out - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Walker Strong in Final Outing, Paces Goldeyes to 5-2 Win - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Macy Released - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Captains Unveil 2011 Promotional Calendar - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
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