WINNIPEG, Man. (June 9, 2019) – Jesus Sanchez fired the first individual shutout in franchise history, Jonathan Rodriguez homered in both games, and the Cleburne Railroaders swept a doubleheader from the Winnipeg Goldeyes by scores of 8-0 and 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Shaw Park.

Game One Recap:

Sanchez (3-2) was masterful, allowing just five singles in keeping the Goldeyes off the scoreboard. Winnipeg got just one runner to third base, and Sanchez required just 83 pitches. Interestingly, none of the 21 outs recorded came on the ground, as Sanchez struck out three and then induced 18 fly outs, pop outs, or line outs. The Cleburne starter did not go to a three-ball count the entire afternoon.

The Railroaders jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to some Winnipeg charity. Goldeyes starter Ryan Johnson (1-1) loaded the bases with nobody out on two walks sandwiched around a single. A wild pitch brought home the game’s first run, then Angel Rosa chopped a run-scoring grounder to shortstop for a 2-0 lead. Hunter Clanin followed with an RBI double and K.C. Huth capped the frame with an RBI single.

A pair of two-run home runs provided more cushion for Cleburne. Clanin smacked an opposite field blast in the fourth, then Rodriguez connected for a line drive two-run shot in the fifth to finish off the scoring. It was Rodriguez’s first home run with the Railroaders.

Game 1 Boxscore

Game Two Recap:

It didn’t take long for things to get weird in game two of the twin bill. In the top of the first, Kenny Meimerstorf lined an RBI single to right field that scored Nick Rotola on a close play at the plate. Winnipeg starter Harrison Cooney was ejected for arguing the call with home plate umpire Chris Lee, forcing the Goldeyes to go the bullpen in the first inning.

An RBI double from Chase Simpson made it 2-0 in the top of the third, then Rodriguez added another with a long sacrifice fly.

Those runs would prove critical, as Winnipeg came storming back in the bottom of the fourth. The Goldeyes started the inning with four straight hits to cut the deficit to 3-2, and had runners at first and second with nobody out. Cleburne starter Michael Gunn (2-0) recovered to retire the next three, then worked a scoreless bottom of the fifth to qualify for the victory.

John Nester pulled a run back in the top of the fifth with an RBI double, then Rodriguez delivered his second home run of the day with a solo shot in the top of the seventh to stretch the lead to 5-2.

Cody White retired all four hitters he faced, and Martire Garcia induced two groundouts to close out the sweep.

Cleburne (12-11) will have a day off on Monday as they travel back home to open a ten-game homestand against the Kansas City T-Bones. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:06 PM.

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.

Game 2 Boxscore

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By Denning Gerig