Winning Streak Reaches Four with Shutout of Amarillo
Published on July 29, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Winnipeg Goldeyes starter Nick Hernandez pitched a complete-game four-hit shutout and the Fish won their fourth straight in just two hours and nine minutes.
On Wednesday night at Shaw Park, the Goldeyes rode a six-run fourth inning and the stellar pitching of their ace lefthander - one day before his 27 th birthday -- to a convincing 7-0 victory over the visiting Amarillo ThunderHeads.
With the victory, the Goldeyes won their fourth straight game, improved to 28-34 on the season and took the opening game of this three-game set with the Thunderheads.
"The thing about Nick is that he doesn't beat himself," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "He throws strikes and works quickly, keeps his defense involved and doesn't fall behind hitters. If you can do that on a consistent basis, you'll have success at any level."
Hernandez, who was named player of the game, gave up only four scattered hits, three of them to Amarillo's leadoff man Logan Vick. Vick led off with a double and added singles in the sixth and the ninth, but never advanced past second base.
"I stayed ahead of the hitters, pounded the strike zone and just let my defense do its job," said Hernandez. "And my defense was great behind me tonight. I got some excellent defensive help from Casio (Grider) at short and Josh (Mazzola) at third. And as soon as we got those six runs in the fourth inning, I knew that was it."
Winnipeg opened the scoring in the third when newcomer Tillman Pugh beat out an infield single, went to second on a single by Luis Alen and scored on a single by Adam Heisler.
Then, in the fourth, the Fish blew the game wide open. Casey Haerther led off with a walk, Reggie Abercrombie singled and then Josh Mazzola was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brad Boyer was then hit by a pitch and Haerther scored. Pugh singled to score Abercrombie, Alen singled to score Mazzola and then Casio Grider singled to score Boyer and Pugh. Then Heisler walked and Chris Robinson hit into a fielder's choice to score Alen. Suddenly it was 7-0 and this one was pretty much in the books.
In the end, the Goldeyes had seven runs on eight hits while Amarillo had no runs on three hits. Tillman Pugh had a pair of singles, an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored. Luis Alen had three singles.
Hernandez (8-3, 1.87), who was brilliant from the opening inning, got the win, while Amarillo starter Austin Kirk (0-3, 8.28 ERA) took the loss.
It's the first time this season the Goldeyes have won four straight games.
The Goldeyes and Thunderheads will play Game 2 of this three-game series on Thursday night at Shaw Park. It's Bacon Night at the ballpark and the Goldeyes will be wearing their spiffy bacon-themed uniforms. Matt Jackson (5-6, 5.10 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg, while Alex Koronis (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will take to the bump for Amarillo.
American Association Stories from July 29, 2015
- Saints Ride Seven Run First to 12-6 Victory over RailCats - St. Paul Saints
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Winning Streak Reaches Four with Shutout of Amarillo - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- T-Bones Take Opener in South Dakota - Kansas City Monarchs
- Straka Goes Eight Scoreless Innings With 3-0 Win Over Saltdogs - Sioux City Explorers
- RedHawks Sign Cooney - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- T-Bones Sign Banks and Leon - Kansas City Monarchs
- Goldeyes Acquire Pugh, Place Jackson on Inactive List - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Canaries Sign Former Big-League Infielder - Sioux Falls Canaries
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