A day after scoring 12-runs but not going deep even once, Josh Romanski hit a pair of two-run homers to power the Winnipeg Goldeyes to a 7-3 victory over the Salina Stockade. The homers were all the support that Goldeyes starter Mikey O’Brien needed, as he tossed six outstanding innings in the win.

TJ Looney started for the Salina Stockade and he found himself in some trouble right off. After walking David Rohm on four-pitches, Josh Romanski drilled a two-run homer off the advertising signs in right field to make it 2-0. David Bergin then drew a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored after back-to-back ground outs. That gave Winnipeg the early 3-0 lead.

An inning later, the Goldeyes extended their lead to four. Rohm drew a walk to start the inning, but was replaced on the base paths on a fielder’s choice by Romanski. He moved to third on back-to-back wild pitches and scored when Bergin ground out.

Looney was down 4-0, but the only big hit had been the home run, and he looked quite good otherwise. The righty would then throw four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits during that span.

It was turning out to be quite an impressive performance for Looney, but O’Brien was brilliant from the first pitch. He retired the first seven batters of the game and, through the first five innings, the righty allowed just one-hit and two-walks while fanning four. He was cruising through the Salina lineup, but the third time through the order proved to be his undoing.

Roche Woodard started the sixth by singling to left, then stole second. Jimmy Heck walked to put two on with no one out. Following a pop out, Woodard was caught leaning too far off second and was eventually tagged out. Jordan Caillouet then followed with a single and both runners scored on a base hit by Joey Miller.

The Stockade were within two, but Winnipeg scored three in the bottom of the seventh to put the game nearly out of reach. Rohm started the inning, bringing Romanski to the plate. The first pitch he faced he drilled over the right-center field fence for his second homer of the game and third of the season. Two batters later Reggie Abercrombie singled, the stole second and would later score on a wild pitch. That made the score 7-2.

In the ninth, the Salina Stockade threatened. Joey Miller singled to start the inning and Brad Cuyos followed with a double. A ground out by Jesse Baker scored Miller, but the Stockade would get no closer, falling 7-3.

Mikey O’Brien (2-0) won his second game of the season, going 6-innings, allowing 4-hits, 3-walks and 2-runs, while striking out 5. Josh Romanski was 2-4 with 3-runs scored, 2-homers, and 4-RBI. David Rohm finished 1-3 with 2-runs scored. Joey Miller finished 2-4 with a run and 2-RBI for Salina.

These two teams will conclude their three-game series tomorrow. Kevin McGovern (0-0, 7.71) goes for the Winnipeg Goldeyes. He will be opposed by Sam Agnew-Weiland (0-1, 14.73). Game time is 12:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier