Dogs Rally to Down Cougars, Reyes Dominates for Goldeyes
American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. Robert Pannier recaps opening night in the 2021 American Association season, including Eduard Reyes leading the Goldeyes in a shutout of the Canaries, and the Chicago Dogs rally to ruin the opening contest for the Kane County Cougars.
Smith Double Propels Dogs Comeback
Harrison Smith’s two-run double in the top of the eighth inning erased a two-run deficit helping the Chicago Dogs to rally to a 6-4 victory over the Kane County Cougars. Chicago trailed 3-1 entering the inning, but loaded the bases before Smith doubled. Brennan Metzger drove home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly and Johnny Adams extended the lead with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, one of two hits by Adams. Ryan Long finished a perfect 4-4 for the Dogs.
The loss ruined an outstanding performance by Cougars starter Tyler Viza, who overcame some early struggles to toss a gem, allowing one run on five hits in six innings. Mitch Reeves had three hits and two RBI for Kane County. This was the first game for the Cougars since joining the American Association.
Chicago Dogs Recap by Sam Brief
Reyes Dominates as Goldeyes Blank Canaries
Eduard Reyes allowed just three hits in six innings, combining with three relievers as the Winnipeg Goldeyes shutout the Sioux Falls Canaries, 9-0. Cory Thompson tossed two no-hit innings, striking out three, and Ken Frosch struck out all three batters he faced. Kyle Martin went 2-4, hitting his first homer of the season to go along with two runs scored and two RBI. Tyler Hill also drove in two runs and scored two runs.
Sioux Falls starter Angel Ventura had a tough start, allowing five earned runs in five innings. Troy Alexander and Charlie Valerio each had two hits for the Canaries.
Winnipeg Goldeyes Recap by Steve Schuster
Railroaders Hang on to Down RedHawks
The Cleburne Railroaders broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run eighth, then held on to defeat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 4-3. Jordan George had tied the score in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly, but a single by Osvaldo Martinez put the Railroaders back on top. Alay Lago reached on an error, plating another run that proved to be the game-winner.
Logan Verrett was impressive in his Cleburne debut, allowing one-run on three-hits in six innings. He struck out seven. Tyler Pike was impressive for Fargo-Moorhead as well, allowing two runs in seven innings while striking out nine. Sam Dexter homered for the RedHawks.
Cleburne Railroaders Recap by Denning Gerig
Kinman Ruins Monarchs Opener
Kyle Kinman ruined the opener for the Kansas City Monarchs, allowing just one hit in five innings of work while striking out eight to lead the Lincoln Saltdogs to a 7-5 victory. A pair of three-run innings proved to be the big blows for the Saltdogs. Lincoln opened the contest with a three-run first as Curt Smith, Josh Altmann, and David Vidal plated runs in the frame. Ryan Long added a three-run hoer in the sixth. James Pugliese came on in the ninth to close out the game for his first save of the season.
The Monarchs were led by Gabriel Guerrero who went 3-4 with two runs scored and four RBI. The loss was the first for the team since rebranding from the T-Bones to the Monarchs.
Lincoln Saltdogs Recap by Michael Dixon
Kansas City Monarchs Recap by Dan Vaughan
Milkmen Roll Over RailCats
The defending American Association champion Milwaukee Milkmen picked up where they left off, dominating the Gary Southshore RailCats in a 10-2 victory on opening night. Aaron Hill homered twice in the contest as part of a huge evening, going 2-4 with two runs scored and five RBI. David Washington drove in two runs and Logan Trowbridge went 2-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. David Holmberg allowed two runs in six innings.
The RailCats produced just four hits and drew 10 walks. Vaibhav Desai and Ben Andrews drove in the runs for Gary Southshore.
Five-Run Third Propels Explorers to Victory Over Apollos
Jared Walker closed out the scoring with a three-run homer in the bottom of the third to lead the Sioux City Explorers to a 6-1 victory over the Houston Apollos. That completed a five-run frame for Sioux City, who got six shutout innings from starter Zach Hedges. Walker finished scored two runs in the game. Joseph Monge went 2-3.
David Aldrich went 2-4 for Houston who were playing their first game in the American Association. Derrick Sylve was outstanding in relief, allowing no runs on one hit in 3.1 innings pitched.
Sioux City Explorers Recap by Connor Ryan
Three Stars of the Night
No. 3 – Eduard Reyes (Winnipeg Goldeyes) 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K, 0 ER
No. 2 – Kyle Kinman (Lincoln Saltdogs) 5 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 K, 0 ER
No. 1 – Aaron Hill (Milwaukee Milkmen) 2-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR
Transactions
Chicago: Released RHP Andrew Stout
Gary SouthShore: Released RHP Nick Floyd, Signed RHP Kristian Scott
Kane County: Released OF Anthony Ray
Lincoln: Released OF Patrick Adams
Sioux Falls: Signed INF Ed Reichenbach
Winnipeg: Released LHP Mitch Lambson and C Al Reda
By Robert Pannier
