WINNIPEG, MB – Winnipeg Goldeyes (14-24) starting pitcher Landen Bourassa (3-2) worked 7 1/3 innings–the longest by a Goldeyes pitcher this year as he helped lead his club to a 6-1 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (16-24) on Saturday at Shaw Park. It was Bourassa’s first game back from representing Canada in the Pan Am Qualifying games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Winnipeg snapped its five-game losing streak. The club had been defeated seven straight times at home prior to this contest.

Box Score

The Goldeyes scored in the bottom of the first inning for the third straight game. Third baseman Dayson Croes led off with a double, extending his hitting streak to seven games. After two were out, catcher Hidekel Gonzalez hit a soft fly ball to center, RailCats center fielder Jesus Marriaga broke back and then hustled in but it was too late as the baseball landed and Croes scored to make it 1-0.

Winnipeg made it 2-0 in the sixth inning on a passed ball. Gary SouthShore didn’t have a runner past second through the first six innings and then got on the board in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Will Decker making it 2–1. The RailCats could have taken the lead in that inning as with two out, catcher Thomas Greely hit a ball headed toward the left-center gap but Winnipeg left fielder Najee Gaskins made a running catch on the warning track.

The Goldeyes were up 2-1 going to the bottom of the eighth and then broke the game open scoring four times. Gaskins had an RBI single, a passed ball scored a run, and right fielder Tra Holmes had a bases loaded two-run single which made it 6-1.

Bourassa allowed four hits, one run (earned), he walked one, and struck out four. Gary SouthShore starter John Sheaks (3-2) lasted seven innings for the second straight start. He gave up six hits, two runs (both earned). He walked two and struck out five.

Goldeyes reliever Samuel Adames despite it not being a save situation, worked a scoreless ninth.

Gary SouthShore leads the season series 3-2.  The teams finish the three-game set Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Harrison Francis (2-2) is the probable for Gary SouthShore, the right-hander will be opposed by Winnipeg righty Joey Matulovich (0-4).

GOLDEYES SCALES

Right fielder Max Murphy‘s regular season consecutive game streak ended at 236. He didn’t play due to a knee issue. The last time he missed a regular season game was September 9, 2020 when he played for the St. Paul Saints

First baseman Tommy McCarthy had one hit extending his hitting streak to six games. Center fielder Javeyan Williams has hit safely in his last seven games

Bourassa pitched in one game in Buenos Aires where he allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning. He faced the home country—Argentina

Five batters combined were hit on Saturday