American Association Capsule – August 5: Lincoln Closing Gap, Amarillo Slugs Out Win
Winnipeg 5, Sioux City 2 (Susp.)
The Winnipeg Goldeyes and Sioux City Explorers were postponed due to rain, with Winnipeg winning 5-2. The game will be continued on Wednesday.
Grand Prairie 5, Laredo 4
The AirHogs gave up three in the ninth to blow a 3-0 lead and then gave up a run in the top of the 10th, but pulled out an amazing win with two of their own in the bottom of the inning to win 5-4. Jason Jarvis started for Grand Prairie and gave up eight hits and no runs, leaving with a 2-0 lead, but the bullpen could not hold the lead for him. Closer Dakota Watts was not able to close out the game, and gave away the go-ahead run in the 10th. He was replaced in the 10th by Tobin Mateychick who evened his record at 1-1. Laredo’s Tyler Pearson (7-5) took the loss. Nick Van Stratten continued to stay hot, getting four hits, and his hit streak is now up to 11.
Amarillo 8, Sioux City 5
Amarillo and Sioux City were tied entering the seventh inning. Both teams scored in the inning, but it was the Sox that came away with the win, taking the game 8-5. In the top of the seventh the Explorers scored two on back-to-back sacrifice flies. In the bottom of the inning a single and walk put runners on first and second with one out. Josh Giles relieved Matt Wickswat, but struggled. Travis Weaver singled to load the bases, before Joe Weik tripled off the wall in center field to clear the bases and make the score 6-5. Weik then scored on a single, and Amarillo was in the driver’s seat. Derek Blacksher got the win to move to 3-8, and Randy Hamrick struck out the side for his third save of the season. Weik finished with three hits, two runs scored and three RBI for the victors.
Lincoln 4, Gary Southshore 3
Lincoln pulled out the dramatic victory with two runs in the top of the eighth and one run in the ninth to win 4-3 over Gary Southshore and move within two games of first place in the Central Division. The game was tied at 3 entering the top of the ninth. Lincoln had scored two in the top of the eighth to take a 3-2 lead, but Gary Southshore scored one in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Then in the ninth, with one out, Matt Forgatch singled and later stole second base. Luis Nunez followed with a single that scored Forgatch and Lincoln was back on top. Jake Meiers (2-3) got the win in relief, and Marshall Schuler closed out the ninth for his 26th save of the season and third of the series.
By Robert Pannier
Senior Baseball Editor
Member of the IBWAA