Perez Sharp in Leading Goldeyes Past Monarchs
JACKSON, TN – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (29-30) beat the Kansas City Monarchs 3-2 at The Ballpark at Jackson on Friday night.
The Goldeyes broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Wes Darvill singled through the right side with one out and scored from first when Kevin Lachance tripled to right-centre. Two batters later, Tyler Hill chopped a two-out, RBI single to left that scored Lachance.
Kansas City cut the Goldeyes’ lead in half in the top of the sixth when Morgan McCullough scored on a passed ball.
In the bottom of the sixth, Raul Navarro drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a groundout from Logan Hill, and took third on a wild pitch. After Darvill walked, Lachance reached on an infield single that scored Navarro to make it 3-1 Winnipeg.
The Monarchs (36-21) pulled within 3-2 in the top of the seventh on an RBI double from Charcer Burks. Burks stole third to move the tying run 90 feet from home with one out, but Nate Antone recorded back-to-back strikeouts of Alexis Olmeda and McCullough to end the inning.
In the top of the eighth, Bud Norris struck out two in a scoreless inning to protect the lead. Austin Rei threw out Darnell Sweeney at third trying to steal for the first out of the inning.
Jose Jose retired the side in order in the top of the ninth to earn his ninth save. Max Murphy made a tumbling catch on a Colin Willis line drive to right-centre for the second out of the inning.
Pete Perez (4-1) started for the Goldeyes and picked up the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits in six and one-third innings. Perez walked one and struck out a career-high eight.
Nick Travieso (5-7) started for the Monarchs and took the loss, allowing two earned runs on five hits in four and two-thirds innings.
Game two of the three-game series is Saturday evening at 6:35 p.m. Joey Gonzalez (2-5, 5.81) faces right-hander Jose Taveras (1-1, 5.75). All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca
In the coming days, the Winnipeg Goldeyes will contact Season Ticket and Mini Pack holders with ticket options for the remainder of the 2021 season, and will be given first priority on seat selection. Individual tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, July 27th at 9:00 a.m.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, as well as the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com