David Bergin Homers to Give Winnipeg Goldeyes 3-2 Victory
It had been a tough night for David Bergin. Through the first nine-innings of the game he had been to the plate four times and struck out each time. However, when the game headed to extra-innings, Bergin shined, ripping a solo homer to start the 10th to give the Winnipeg Goldeyes the 3-2 victory over the Wichita Wingnuts. It was a stunning turnaround for a team that had given up 19-runs the previous night.
This was a great pitchers’ battle all night long. Winnipeg starter Edwin Carl was opposed by Jordan Cooper and each hurler kept this game scoreless through the first six-innings. Cooper would be done after 6-innigs, allowing 4-hits while striking out 8. He also stretched his scoreless inning streak to 13-innings to start the season.
In the seventh, the Wichita Wingnuts turned to Austin Boyle and the Goldeyes took the lead. Wes Darvill led off the inning with a single and Andrew Sohn followed with a walk. Two batters later, American Association RBI leader Josh Romanski singled to score Darvill and Winnipeg was up 1-0.
The Wingnuts responded with two-runs in the bottom half of the inning. The inning began much like the Goldeyes’ did. Brent Clevlen singled and T.J. Mittelstaedt walked to start the frame. Matt Chavez then came to the plate, and doubled to center to score Clevlen to tie the score. Edwin Carl was relieved by Victor Capellan who walked Richard Prigatano to load the bases. Brennen Salgado grounded out to score Mittelstaedt and Wichita was in front.
The lead did not last long, as the Goldeyes tied the score in their next at-bat. Mike Devine relieved in the eighth and Reggie Abercrombie greeted him with a single. He then moved to third when a pick-off attempt was wild and scored when Shawn Pleffner hit a sacrifice fly to tie the score.
It would stay tied heading into extra-innings. Josh Goosen-Brown took over on the hill for Wichita. The first batter of the inning was David Bergin, who drilled his first homer of the season to give Winnipeg the lead.
Ryan Chaffee came on in the bottom of the inning and gave up a leadoff single to Leo Vargas. However, the Wingnuts could do no more, and Winnipeg would win, 3-2.
Shawn Pleffner continues his hot start to the season, going 2-4 with an RBI to raise his average to .472. Matt Chavez went 2-4 with an RBI for Wichita.
Game 3 of this four-game set is tomorrow. Tyler Kane (1-0, 1.00) goes for the Wichita Wingnuts. He will be opposed by Zack Dodson (0-0, 7.50). Game time is 7:00.
By Robert Pannier
