Murphy, Pitching Send Goldeyes to Double-Header Sweep
JACKSON, TN – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (25-25) won both games of a double header from the Lincoln Saltdogs at The Ballpark at Jackson on Tuesday night, taking the opener 5-2 and winning the nightcap 4-2.
The two wins pull the Goldeyes back to .500 for the first time since May 21st with 50 games remaining on the schedule.
In game one, the Saltdogs took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third on a Justin Byrd RBI groundout and a Forrestt Allday two-out, RBI single.
Winnipeg answered back with four runs in the bottom of the third. Jay Gonzalez singled to right-centre with one out and was followed by a Kevin Lachance walk. Max Murphy drove a double down the right field line on an 0-2 count that scored Gonzalez. Kyle Martin put the Goldeyes in front with a two-run single on a line drive down the right field line. After Martin stole second base, Raul Navarro hit an RBI single up the middle that extended his career-high hitting streak to 16 games.
Lachance doubled to right-centre on an 0-2 count leading off the bottom of the fifth and scored the Goldeyes’ fifth run when Murphy singled up the middle.
Goldeyes’ starting pitcher Pete Perez (2-1) picked up the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits in six innings. Perez walked one and struck out a career-high seven.
Lincoln starter Keenan Bartlett (2-3) took the loss, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in six innings. Bartlett walked two and struck out five.
Jose Jose pitched a scoreless top of the seventh to earn his eighth save of the season.
In game two, Lincoln took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Allday drew a two-out, bases loaded walk.
Goldeyes’ starter Austin Henrich and reliever Ken Frosch worked out of a first and second jam with no outs in the top of the third. Frosch then escaped a first and third situation with no outs in the fourth to keep the Goldeyes within one run.
Martin tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run that struck the bottom of the scoreboard in right-centre. It was Martin’s 100th career professional home run.
In the bottom of the fifth, Dakota Conners drew a one-out walk. Two batters later, Lincoln starter Greg Minier was charged with a balk that moved Conners to second. Tyler Hill then walked, and the Goldeyes loaded the bases when Gonzalez reached on an infield single. Murphy gave Winnipeg a 4-1 lead with a three-run double to centre on a full count.
The Saltdogs (24-27) pulled within 4-2 in the top of the sixth on a one-out, solo home run from Justin Byrd.
Nate Antone struck out two in a scoreless top of the seventh to pick up his second save.
Christian James (3-3) picked up the win in relief, while Minier (5-1) took the loss. Minier allowed two earned runs on three hits in four and two-thirds innings. Minier walked three and struck out three.
Henrich took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on three hits in two and two-thirds innings. Henrich walked three and struck out one.
Navarro singled in the bottom of the fourth in the second game to stretch his hitting streak to 17.
The series concludes Thursday evening at 6:35 p.m. Joey Gonzalez (2-4, 6.00) starts for the Goldeyes. All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca
The Goldeyes will continue to monitor the reopening of the Canada/US border and assess a potential return to Shaw Park in 2021.
In the coming weeks, Winnipeg Goldeyes staff will contact ticket holders with more information and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
