By Doug Greenwald, Winnipeg Goldeyes

SIOUX CITY, IA – Sioux City (22-25) center fielder Chase Harris’ (5) two-run homer to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out proved to be the difference as the Explorers defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes (19-28) 2-1 on Monday at Mercy Field. The Goldeyes have lost back-to-back one-run games and after starting the road trip 3-0 are 1-4 since

Box Score

The game was a snappy 2:03 as nobody scored through seven innings. Goldeyes starter and Winnipeg native Marc-André Habeck pitched seven shutout innings while striking out seven. Both are season highs for him. He twice worked out of jams with runners at second and third and less than two out. 

Sioux City starter Trenton Toplikar lasted 7 2/3 innings allowing one run and he struck out a season-high for him six. 

The Goldeyes run came in the eighth inning. Center fielder Tra Holmes led off with a single and stole second. Two batters later, shortstop Andy Armstrong singled to center which scored Holmes to make it 1-0. The Goldeyes had a chance for more but Sioux City reliever and former Goldeye in 2020 Kent Hasler (3-2) was able to get the last out of the inning and ended up the winning pitcher. 

RJ Martinez (4-3) surrendered the homer in the eighth and got the loss. He’s allowed a Winnipeg high eight round-trippers. Sioux City’s Sean Rackoski (7) struck out the Winnipeg side in order in the ninth earning the save.

Game two of this series celebrating America’s 247th birthday is at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday at Mercy Field. Winnipeg right-hander Landen Bourassa (3-3) is the probable against Sioux City’s Austin Drury (0-2). 

Winnipeg returns home Friday, July 7 when the Milwaukee Milkmen visit Shaw Park.

For information on season tickets, group outings, Skysuite rentals, patio bookings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the team’s official website Goldeyes.com.

GOLDEYES SCALES

The Goldeyes are spending the Fourth of July in Sioux City for the second straight year

Winnipeg is 4-10 in one-run games

Habeck is the third starter on this road trip to pitch at least six shutout innings

Armstrong has eight hits over his last three games. His last 13 hits are singles

Outfielder Najee Gaskins has reached base safely in 15 straight games

Miles Simington has seven hits (all singles) through his first four games in which he’s had an at-bat for Winnipeg