Cleburne Clinches Playoff Berth, Walker Sets HR Mark, Saltdogs Split Double-Header
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. Robert Pannier recaps the seven games in the American Association on Sunday, including the Cleburne Railroaders clinching a playoff spot, Adam Brett Walker II setting the American Association homerun mark, and the Lincoln Saltdogs split a double-header. This and much more.
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Monarchs Win, Cleburne Clinches
The Kansas City Monarchs scored a run in the fourth and one of the fifth then held on for a 5-4 victory over the Cleburne Railroaders. Ibandel Isabel led the way, recording three hits including his 11th home run of the season. The Monarchs had scored a run in the second and two in the third, but Cleburne battled back with three in the bottom of the third to tie the score. However, Ryan Grotjohn put his team on top for good in the top of the fourth with an RBI single.
Keyvius Sampson came out of the bullpen and tossed two scoreless innings to earn the victory. Jameson McGrane earned his eighth save of the season. Alay Lago and Ozzie Martinez each had two hits for Cleburne. Despite the loss, the Railroaders clinched a playoff berth when the Lincoln Saltdogs split their double-header with the Houston Apollos.
Kansas City Monarchs Recap by Emerson Peavey
Cleburne Railroaders Recap by Denning Gerig
Explorers Stay Alive with Fourth Straight Win
The Sioux City Explorers jumped out to a 4-0 lead, then held on for a 5-3 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Sunday. Sebastian Zawada got the team going with a two run double and he scored on an error. José Sermo had two hits and scored two runs in the contest. That was enough support for Brett Adcock, who allowed three runs in 6.1 innings. Max Kuhns finished off the final 2.2 innings to earn his second save of the season.
Tre Michalczewski and Mike Hart each went deep for Sioux Falls. Joey Wagman took the loss. The victory moves Sioux City into third in the South Division, 0.5 games ahead of the Lincoln Saltdogs.
Sioux City Explorers Recap by Connor Ryan
Sioux Falls Canaries Recap by Joey Zanaboni
Saltdogs-Apollos Split Double-Header
The Lincoln Saltdogs got a two-run homer by Josh Altmann in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the team a walk-off victory in the first game of their double-header against Houston Apollos on Sunday. Hudson Bilodeau had led off the game with a homerun, and that one run held through five innings. However, David Vidal tied the score with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. That set up the dramatic seventh, where Altmann turned on a 2-2 pitch, drilling it for his 27th homerun of the season. That tied the franchise record for homeruns in a season.
Greg Minier went the distance for Lincoln, allowing one run in seven innings to earn his ninth victory of the season. The left-hander set a career-high with 11 strikeouts in the contest.
In the second contest, Altmann hit a two-run homer to cap off a four run second inning, and it looked like the Saltdogs would run away with this contest, as they jumped out to a 5-2 lead. However, a run in the top of the fifth was followed by five in the top of the six to give Houston the lead. Taylor Zeutenhorst had the big blow of the inning, a bases clearing double that put Houston up, 8-5, Lincoln would pull one run closer on Altmann’s third homerun of the day, but could get no closer.
Matt Cronin earned the victory and Alex Merithew came on to close out the contest to earn his first save of the season. Altmann homered twice in the contest and drove in three runs. He now holds the Saltdogs single-season record for homeruns.
Lincoln Saltdogs Recap by Michael Dixon
Walker Sets Homerun Mark in Milkmen Victory
Adam Brett Walker II set the record for homeruns in a season with his 32nd as the Milwaukee Milkmen defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats, 6-4. The RailCats took the lead in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a three-run homer by Thomas Walraven. Milwaukee battled back in the fifth, scoring four runs, capped off by the two-run blast by Walker. The team added two more runs in the top of the sixth on back-to-back doubles by Christian Correa and Aaron Hill. Christian Young earned the victory and Zach Hartman earned his fourth save of the season.
Walraven finished with two hits and three RBI. Billy Cooke had four hits and José Mercado added three.
Gary SouthShore RailCats Recap by Max Kelton
Kipper, Dogs Blank Cougars
Jordan Kipper continued his hot streak, tossing seven shutout innings as the Chicago Dogs defeated the Kane County Cougars, 5-0. Kipper allowed four hits while striking out nine to earn his 12th victory of the season. The right-hander has gone 16 straight innings without allowing a run. Chicago gave their starter all the runs he needed with three in the top of the second. Anfernee Grier led off the frame with homerun and Grant Kay and Danny Mars drove in runs of the frame. Joey Terdoslavich added a solo shot in the top of the third.
Brandon Chinea had two hits for the Cougars. The team struck out 13 times in the contest.
Kane County Cougars Recap by Joe Brand
RedHawks Rally to Down Goldeyes
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Fargo led 2-1 entering the frame but extended their lead thanks to a two-run homer by Sam Dexter. Bret Helton earned the victory, tossing seven scoreless frames. Alex DuBord came on in the ninth to close out the contest, earning his 11th save of the season. Nick Novak had three hits for the RedHawks.
Greg Harris pitched well for Winnipeg, allowing one run in 5.2 innings.
Winnipeg Goldeyes Recap by Steve Schuster
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Three Stars of the Night
No. 3 – Thomas Walraven (Gary SouthShore RailCats) 2-5, R, HR, 3 RBI
No. 2 – Jordan Kipper (Chicago Dogs) 7.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 0 ER, 9 K
No. 1 – Josh Altmann (Lincoln Saltdogs) 3-7, 3 R, 5 RBI, 3 HR, BB
This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE
American Association Daily Notes
The Cleburne Railroaders clinched a playoff appearance for the first time in franchise history when the Lincoln Saltdogs split their double-header with the Houston Apollos. The Sioux City Explorers will earn the final playoff spot with a win or a Lincoln loss on Monday. The Saltdogs must win and the Explorers lose for Lincoln to make it into the playoffs. If Sioux City should win and Cleburne lose, the Explorers will host the play-in game on Wednesday. Should Lincoln earn the final playoff spot, Cleburne will host the play-in game on Wednesday regardless of whether they win on Monday or not…The Chicago Dogs earned the top record in the North Division with their victory on Sunday. The 62 victories are a franchise record… Milwaukee Milkmen OF Adam Brett Walker II set the American Association single-season record for homeruns with his 32nd on Sunday…If the Dogs win on Monday, they will be the only team with a winning record in every month this season…Chicago Dogs RHP Jordan Kipper has won eight straight decisions.
This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE
Transactions
Cleburne: Activated LHP Michael Gunn from the Injured List; Placed RHP Jake Yogel on the Injured List retroactive to September 4
Gary SouthShore: Activated OF Zach Welz from the Injured List; Placed RHP Jack Alkire on the Inactive List retroactive to September 4
Lincoln: Activated LHP Kyle Kinman from the Injured List; Placed RHP John Richy on the Injured List retroactive to September 3
By Robert Pannier