Cougars Rock Zimmerman, Lloyd Leads Explorers, Railroaders Rally
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. In today’s edition, Rob Pannier recaps the four games in the first round of the American Association playoffs, including the Kane County Cougars rocking the Milwaukee Milkmen, the Sioux City Explorers hang on to defeat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Chris Herrmann leads the Kansas City Monarchs to victory, and the Cleburne Railroaders rally to defeat the Chicago Dogs.
Game Recaps for Wednesday
Cougars Rock Zimmerman, Milkmen
The Kane County Cougars had historically not done well against Milwaukee Milkmen starter Ryan Zimmerman, but that was not the case in Game 1 on Wednesday. Zimmerman gave up six earned runs in 2.2 innings of work, suffering his first loss against the Cougars. Tyler Beardsley earned the win, allowing two runs in five innings. Four Kane County relievers each tossed a scoreless frame.
Kane County jumped out in front in the top of the first, scoring three runs when Jonah Davis hit his first home run of the postseason. Two innings later, the lead became seven. The Cougars had the bases loaded for Olivier Basabe, who brought home two runs on a double. The third run came home on a throwing error. A double by Galli Cribbs extended the lead to seven. Two innings later, the lead became eight on an RBI single by Basabe. Milwaukee tried to rally in the bottom half of the inning as Aaron Hill delivered a two-run single, but the Cougars put up two more in the eighth and one more in the ninth to seal the victory. Todd Lott had a two run double in the eighth and Davis hit his second home run of the night, a solo shot in the ninth.
Davis finished 2-4 with three runs scored and four RBI. Basabe had three hits, scored twice, and drove in three. Cam Balego had two hits for the Milkmen.
Herrmann, Goudeau Lead Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs opened their series with a decisive 9-1 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries. Chris Herrmann homered as part of a three-hit, three RBI performance. Ashton Goudeau started for the Monarchs and was outstanding, tossing five shutout innings. Ty Culbreth took the loss for Sioux Falls, giving up five runs in seven innings.
The Monarchs jumped out in front in the top of the first when Herman drilled a three-run homer. In the third, Micker Adolfo had a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to four. The teams exchanged runs in the sixth. Taylor Snyder hit a solo home run in the top half of the inning and Hunter Clanin added an RBI single in the bottom half. This was still a close game, but Kansas City blew the game open in the eighth, scoring three runs thanks to a two-run triple by Jacob Robson and an RBI single by Gavin Collins. In the ninth, Brian O’Grady added an RBI double to close out the scoring.
Kansas City Monarchs Recap by Carter Woodiel
Explorers Hold Off RedHawks to Grab Opener
The Sioux City Explorers used a five run fifth inning to jump out to a five-run advantage, then held on for an 8-6 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Matt Lloyd led the way, recording three hits in scoring three runs. John Silviano had a big day for Fargo-Moorhead, recording three hits and driving in three.
Sioux City took a one run lead in the top of the second when Lloyd led off with a solo homer. In the bottom of the third, Silviano put his team on top when he drilled a three-run shot. The Explorers responded right away, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Chase Harris and a run-scoring double by Delvin Zinn. In the fifth, Sioux City scored five runs on four hits, sending 10 men to the plate. The team led off with three straight singles, scoring a run. Wilfredo Gimenez then drew a walk to load the bases, and Kyle Kasser followed with a single, plating another run. Harris and Zinn followed with back-to-back walks to drive home two more runs and a fielder’s choice by Daniel Lingua made it 8-3.
The RedHawks were down, but refused to go away. Manuel Boscan delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, but the Sioux City bullpen took over from there, keeping the RedHawks off the scoreboard for the next three innings. In the ninth, Fargo-Moorhead began to rally. A single and a walk put two on with one down, and a passed ball moved both runners into scoring position. A second passed ball allowed both runners to come home. The RedHawks had the tying run on deck, but Sean Rackoski struck out Scott Schreiber to close out the game for his first save.
Kevin McGovern took the loss, giving up eight runs in four innings, and Austin Drury allowed one earned run in five innings to earn the win. Harris and Zinn each had two RBI and Kasser scored two runs. Leobaldo Pina scored two runs for the RedHawks.
Sioux City Explorers Recap by Dan Vaughan, Jr.
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Recap by Chad Miller
Railroaders Rally to Down Dogs
The Cleburne Railroaders found themselves trailing by two entering the bottom of the sixth, but scored five unanswered runs to earn a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Dogs. Michael Krauza earned the victory, tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, and Joe Corbett came on in the ninth to close out the game.
Chicago took the lead in the top of the first on a ground out, but Hill Alexander put his team on top when he singled home two runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Dogs tied the score in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Brennan Metzger and took the lead two innings later when Peyton Eeles delivered a two-out, two run single. The Dogs had the lead, but it was all Cleburne from there. José Sermo homered in the bottom of the sixth to pull the Railroaders within one, and the team took the lead in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs. Bret Boswell doubled to tie the score and he came home on an RBI single by Ryan Hernandez. Guillermo Quintana gave his team a two-run advantage with an RBI single. Cleburne scored their final run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Zach Nehrir.
Quintana finished with three hits and an RBI and Sermo had two hits and scored two runs. Ryan Lidge had two hits for Chicago and Cody Bohanek scored two runs.
Three Stars of the Night
No. 3 – Chris Herrmann (Kansas City Monarchs) 3-4, R, 3 RBI, HR,
No. 2 – Matt Lloyd (Sioux City Explorers) 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, HR
No. 1 – Jonah Davis (Kane County Cougars) 2-4, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
American Association Daily Notes
Milwaukee Milkmen starter Ryan Zimmerman was a perfect 7-0 in his career against the Kane County Cougars before dropping Game 1… The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks face elimination on Friday after dropping Game 1 at home. The RedHawks were 4-0 when facing elimination during last year’s championship run.
Transactions
September 6, 2023
Gary SouthShore: Released RHP Jared Price
Kansas City: Placed RHP Trey Cobb on the Injured List; Activated C Gavin Collins from the Inactive List
Lake Country: Traded RHP Augie Voight to Long Island (Atlantic League) for a player to be named later
September 5, 2023
Chicago: Placed RHP Tyler Palm on the Inactive List; Activated INF General McArthur IV from the Inactive List
Fargo-Moorhead: Activated INF Peter Brookshaw and LHP Kevin McGovern from the Inactive List
Gary SouthShore: Claimed RHP Cody Deason off waivers from Kansas City
Kane County: Activated RHP Tyler Beardsley and RHP Jack Fox from the Inactive List
Lake Country: Transferred the contract of RHP Kyle McGowin to CTBC Brothers (Chinese Professional Baseball League)
Lincoln: Traded LHP Steffon Moore to Gastonia (Atlantic League) for a player to be named later
American Association Articles on Minor League Sports Report
American Association Manager of the Year Candidates: Butch Hobson
American Association Manager of the Year Candidates: Mike Meyer
American Association Manager of the Year Candidates: Steve Montgomery
TWITA: Sioux City Explorers Manager Steve Montgomery
Sioux City Explorers C Wilfredo Gimenez Named American Association Player of the Week
Winnipeg Goldeyes RHP RJ Martinez American Association Pitcher of the Week
By Robert Pannier
