WINNIPEG, MB – Two Winnipeg Goldeyes (28-37) homers paved the way in a 3-2 win and three-game sweep over the Sioux City Explorers (32-34) on Thursday night at Shaw Park. The Goldeyes have won five straight games matching a season-high.

Box Score

Goldeyes third baseman Dayson Croes (2) in the bottom of the third inning gave the club all the support it needed with a two-out two-run homer to right. It was his first homer in Winnipeg. That was set up by first baseman Tommy McCarthy leading off with a walk.

After Sioux City chipped away with a run in the fourth, Winnipeg right fielder Max Murphy (19) led off the bottom half with a homer. He continues to lead the American Association in that department, and it was his second straight game with a round-tripper. Murphy has hits in 15-of-his-last-16 games and is 26-64 (.406) in that span.

The Explorers added a run in the eighth and had a chance to take the lead but right fielder Jake Sanford struck out against Goldeyes reliever Tyler Jandron. Sioux City stranded nine runners.

After two prior shaky outings allowing two runs in each, Winnipeg closer Samuel Adames (9) pitched a perfect ninth inning to notch the save. For the first time this year, the Goldeyes have saves in three straight games.

Luis Ramirez (5-4) earned the win. He went six innings, and allowed just two hits while giving up one run (earned). The right-hander walked five (season-high for him) and struck out four.

The loss was suffered by Sioux City starter Mitchell Verburg. He gave up three runs (earned) with six strikeouts over five innings on four hits and allowed the homers to Croes and Murphy.

This sweep offsets the series earlier this month when Sioux City took three straight from Winnipeg.

The Goldeyes look to add to the win total on Friday against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks beginning at 6:30 p.m. The expected starters are left-hander Kevin McGovern (6-5) for Fargo-Moorhead against Winnipeg righty Joey Matulovich (3-6).

For information on season tickets, group outings, Skysuite rentals, patio bookings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the team’s official website Goldeyes.com.

GOLDEYES SCALES

Croes’ prior homer was May 16th at Fargo-Moorhead which led off the game

Chas Cywin pitched a scoreless seventh, he’s allowed one run in his last 18 innings (0.50 ERA)

The season series is 3-3. The teams meet each other again in Sioux City August 15-17. Unless there’s a post-season meeting, Sioux City is done visiting Winnipeg this year

Second baseman Brynn Martinez tripled in the fifth, he has three-of-the-four Goldeyes triples this year.  Chris Burgess has the other. Martinez made a diving play moving to his right up the middle in the fourth which only allowed one run and maintained a Winnipeg lead

Winnipeg has scored 35 runs over the five straight wins

It was Ramirez’ first win a starter since June 27th at Lincoln

In Jandron’s 12 games as a full-time reliever his ERA is 3.00 over 18 innings with 21 strikeouts

Winnipeg is 18-15 at home and 8-12 in one-run games