Can-Am Ottawa Champions

Werner Wins Pitcherâ??s Duel as Ottawa Bests Host Goldeyes

Published on July 3, 2015 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Ottawa Champions News Release


Ottawa, ON - Andrew Werner's lengthy performance on the mound helped the Champions to a win. The final score was 2-1 in a pitcher's duel against the American Association's Winnipeg Goldeyes on Friday.

Ottawa manager Hal Lanier was very impressed with the defense that Ottawa's infield churned out, most notably from shortstop Daniel Bick.

"He saved some potential runs," the skipper said of Bick. "We were also able to turn a few double plays, so we played good defense and a good ballgame all the way around."

Ottawa was off and running early, with a run in the top of the first inning. Catcher Bryce Massanari drove a base hit into shallow centre field, which was able to bring Roberto Ramirez home for the first run of the game.

Werner was in trouble early in the game, finding himself in a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the second inning. He was able to get Winnipeg rookie Chris Robinson to ground out after going down 3-0 in the count.

Werner went for seven innings, only allowing one run against. Lanier said that it's key to have a reliable arm like the 28-year-old in his starting rotation.

"From the start of spring training, he was our number one starter," Lanier said. "His last few outings, he's really pitched well for us."

Ottawa had to make adjustments on the defensive side of the ball after the fifth inning. Left fielder Mike Schwartz was thrown out of the game in the top half of the inning while arguing a called strike three.

Alex Nunez moved into left field for Schwartz. Nunez started the game as the designated hitter, so the Ottawa pitcher would slide into Schwartz's cleanup spot in the Ottawa lineup.

"We really didn't have much of a choice but to make the moves we did," Lanier explained. "We only had one healthy guy on the bench, and that was the catcher Caswell."

Lanier said that had infielder Matt Tenaglia been healthy, it would have been an easier switch. Tenaglia is currently nursing a leg injury.

Winnipeg had a chance at tying the game in the sixth, sending two runners to the basepaths with just one out. Former Ottawa shortstop Kyle Brandenburg would pinch hit, but Andrew Werner had him ground out on the first pitch of the at-bat.

Ottawa's Alan DeRatt earned his eighth save of the season after a quick ninth inning to seal the win.

The Champions will continue their series in Winnipeg tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m. EST, before wrapping up the series on Sunday.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 3, 2015


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