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A night of firsts for Fish

The Winnipeg Goldeyes lost at home for the first time this season Saturday night, falling 4-0 to the Gary SouthShore RailCats.

A crowd of 6,788 at Shaw Park watched the Goldeyes record a number of season firsts, none of which was good. It was the first shutout loss, first loss after four straight wins and a first start and first loss for lefty Zach Baldwin.

Baldwin lasted only two innings, giving up three hits and two runs while walking three.

The Goldeyes also tied a season-high with 12 men left on base. It was the first shutout win this season for the RailCats (7-8).

The two teams will meet again Sunday at 1:30 p.m. for the series tie-breaker. The Goldeyes (10-4) won Friday’s opener.

Goldeyes righty Ace Walker, who is three strikeouts away from the tying the club record of 313 held by manager Rick Forney, will get the start.

Shortstop Kyle Haines led Gary with three hits, including a solo home run that put his team on the board in the second inning. The RailCats’ second run was scored on a Baldwin wild pitch later in the inning. A third run came in the fifth on an RBI infield single by right-fielder Mike Massaro. A two-out RBI double by third baseman Rico Washington in the seventh inning completed Gary’s scoring.

Goldeyes’ centre-fielder Chris Roberson reached base three times with two hits and a walk, while Price Kendall, who changed positions for the second time in three games, had two hits.

After playing 11 games this season at shortstop, Kendall found himself back at second base on Saturday.

"I feel that I’m comfortable wherever I am on the field but yeah, there is (a comfort zone at second)," said Kendall, who is hitting .288. Last season he hit .324 and was the league’s rookie-of-the-year while playing second base most of the season. He has reached base in every game so far this season.

Vancouver’s David Narodowoski played his third straight game at shortstop.

"Narodowski’s been playing great shortstop, so hopefully me and him can bring some of the magic that me and Wes Long had over there," Kendall said, referring to his double-play partner from last season. Twice Saturday Kendall and Narodowski turned DP’s, along with first baseman Jon Weber — in the third and eighth innings.

Kendall could retake job at second, as it opened up on Thursday when the Goldeyes placed Matt Cusick on waivers. Cusick, who had played the first 10 games of the season, was picked up off waivers Saturday by the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Forney said he’s not too worried about finding an everyday second baseman at this point.

"(Yurendell) De Caster can play it, Price can play it, David can play it, so we have options," said Forney, who has also been trying new bodies at first base.

De Caster and Josh Mazzola have both played there along with outfielder Weber, who also started Friday’s game at first base. A veteran of 14 professional seasons, Weber had only played one pro game at first, in 2008 with AAA Durham Bulls of the International League.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPAshleyPrest

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