Eldred Dominates, Dogs Rally, Saltdogs Blank DockHounds

Robert Pannier August 6, 2023

Photo Credit: Jennifer Andreachi/Field Dreams Photography

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. In today’s edition, Rob Pannier recaps the six games in the American Association on Saturday, including C.J. Eldred tossing a perfect game through eight, the Lincoln Saltdogs blank the Lake Country DockHounds, and the Winnipeg Goldeyes edge the Kansas City Monarchs.

Game Recaps for Saturday

Eldred Gem Helps Cougars Win in 11

C.J. Eldred carried a no-hit bid into the top of the ninth inning before the Cleburne Railroaders finally rallied to tie the score. However, the Kane County Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the 11th inning, defeating Cleburne in extra innings for the second straight night, this time winning, 4-1. Eldred had a perfect game through eight, retiring all 24 batters he faced, but gave up a leadoff single in the top of the night to Elmer Reyes. Bret Boswell tied the score with a two-out double.

Kasey Kalich had been nearly as brilliant, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out nine. Brendan Bell came on in the eighth and the Cougars took the lead on an RBI double by Jonah Davis.

The score remained tied until the 11th when Galli Cribbs hit a three-run, walk-off homer, his second of the season, to give Kane County the victory. Cribbs went 3-5 with a run scored and three RBI. Logan Nissen earned the victory with two scoreless innings of relief. Cleburne recorded their only two hits in the ninth inning, striking out 10 times.

Boxscore

Dogs Rally to Down Milkmen

The Chicago Dogs had no answers for Milwaukee Milkmen starter Kyle Mora, held off the scoreboard through the first seven innings. However, Chicago tied the score in the top of the eighth and added four more in the ninth to earn a 5-1 victory. Mora allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven, but Jack Mahoney took over in the eighth and Chicago tied the score on an RBI double by Josh Altmann.

In the ninth, Aneuris Rosario came on for the Milkmen and gave up a single, a double, and hit a batter to load the bases with one down. Jesus Lujano hit a sacrifice fly that put Chicago on top and Payton Eeles followed with a three-run homer, his first of the year.

Brian Schlitter earned the victory, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings. Eeles finished with two hits and three RBI. Milwaukee produced just three hits in the contest.

Boxscore

Brown Dominates as Saltdogs Blank DockHounds

Tanner Brown combined with two relievers to shut out the Lake Country DockHounds as the Lincoln Saltdogs earned a 3-0 victory. Brown allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six. R.J. Freure tossed two scoreless innings and Steffon Moore walked two in the ninth inning but got the final out for his sixth save of the season.

Lincoln took the lead in the top of the fifth when Drew Devine hit a two-run homer, his seventh of the season. Two innings later, Devine hit a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to three. That was all Brown needed, who gave up singles in the second and fourth innings.

Lincoln Saltdogs Recap by Michael Dixon

Boxscore

Goldeyes Hang on to Down Monarchs

The Winnipeg Goldeyes jumped out to a five-run lead, then held on for a 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Monarchs. That made a victor of Landen Bourassa. Samuel Adames retired the final six batters for his 11th save.

The score was tied after one as Max Murphy hit his 21st home run of the season in the top half of the inning and Jan Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom half. Winnipeg retook the lead in the top of the second on an RBI single by Dayson Croes and a two-run single by Andy Armstrong. The lead became five an inning later when Chris Burgess hit a two-run home run, his third of the year.

Kansas City was down, but responded with three runs in the fifth thanks to an RBI single by Hernandez and a two run double by Brian O’Grady. Croes singled home a run in the top of the sixth and Jacob Robson hit a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth to close out the scoring.

Winnipeg Goldeyes Recap by Doug Greenwald

Kansas City Monarchs Recap by Carter Woodiel

Boxscore

Explorers-RailCats Postponed

The contest between the Sioux City Explorers and Gary SouthShore RailCats was postponed due to inclement weather. The contest will be made up as part of a double-header on Sunday starting at 1:00.

Canaries-RedHawks Suspended

The contest between the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks was suspended due to rain after one inning. The contest will continue before Sunday’s regularly scheduled contest.

Three Stars of the Night

No. 3 – Kyle Mora (Milwaukee Milkmen) 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 ER

No. 2 – Kasey Kalich (Cleburne Railroaders) 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

No. 1 – C.J. Eldred (Kane County Cougars) 9.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 0 BB, 8 K

American Association Daily Notes

Lincoln Saltdogs catcher Luke Roskam did not play on Friday, keeping his consecutive on-base streak at 38 straight games… Winnipeg Goldeyes outfielder Max Murphy hit his league-leading 21st home run of the season.