Bullpen Closes Door on Goldeyes Victory
Photo Credit: Hayden Austin
FARGO, ND – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (25-23) beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 5-3 at Newman Outdoor Field on Wednesday night.
Tied at 3-3 in the top of the seventh inning, Justin Thompson doubled to right field leading off. Three batters later, Max Murphy rifled a two-out double into the right field corner that scored Thompson with the lead run.
Deon Stafford Jr. was hit by a pitch leading off the top of the eighth and scored the Goldeyes’ fifth run when Kevin Lachance’s bunt single resulted in a throwing error down the right field line by third baseman Leobaldo Pina.
The Goldeyes received four shutout innings from their bullpen with Bryan Blanton, Travis Seabrooke, Erasmo Pinales, and Tasker Strobel each working a scoreless frame. Strobel pitched the bottom of the ninth and earned his 13th save of the year.
Blanton (1-1) picked up the win in relief, while Tanner Riley (0-2) took the loss in relief for the RedHawks (34-14).
Winnipeg took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a two-out, solo home run to left-centre from Reggie Pruitt Jr.
The RedHawks tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Evan Alexander tripled to centre leading off and scored on a Christian Correa groundout to third.
Manuel Boscan opened the bottom of the fourth with an opposite-field home run to left-centre to give Fargo-Moorhead a 2-1 lead.
With two outs and no one on base in the top of the fifth, Thompson came back from a 1-2 count to draw an eight-pitch walk. After Pruitt walked, Ian Sagdal singled through the right side on an 0-2 count. Thompson scored on Sagdal’s base hit and was followed by Pruitt with the go-ahead run when RedHawks’ right fielder John Silviano overran the ball.
Drew Ward led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to right-centre that tied the game. The RedHawks then loaded the bases with no outs, but Sagdal made a diving catch at third to rob Alexander. The play resulted in Rymer Liriano being doubled off first base for the second out. Two batters later, Blanton struck out Sam Dexter to strand the bases loaded and keep the game tied at 3-3.
Alex Manasa started for the Goldeyes and took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on six hits over five-plus innings. Manasa walked two and struck out four.
RedHawks’ starter Davis Feldman also took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on three hits in five innings. Feldman walked five and struck out three.
The series concludes Thursday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. Landen Bourassa (1-1, 3.00) faces left-hander Kevin McGovern (6-1, 4.37). All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca
The Goldeyes return home Friday, July 8th when they host the Sioux City Explorers at Shaw Park.
For information on Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2022 season tickets, individual tickets, group outings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com
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