Goldeyes return to win column

The Winnipeg Goldeyes ended a three-game losing skid on Monday night with a 3-2 win over the Sioux City Explorers before a crowd of 5,012 fans at Shaw Park.

Starting pitcher Matt Rusch (5-1) got the win, striking out 10 of 25 batters he faced in seven innings of work. Dexter Carter picked up the save and had the crowd roaring as he threw strikes in the 94 miles-per-hour range in the ninth inning to end the game.

"I actually got a little bit of a chill that went through my body when I heard that," said the 6-foot-6 Carter, who recorded his third save of the season and of his professional career.

Rusch’s 10 strikeouts were one short of the Goldeyes' season high in a game by Fabian Williamson, whose contract was purchased last week by the Atlanta Braves.

Winnipeg (22-15) and Sioux City (18-21) meet again Tuesday in the second of a three-game set between the two teams with lefty Chris Salamida (1-2, 4.24) going to the mound for the Goldeyes against Ty Marotz (2-1, 7.00).

The Goldeyes led 3-0 after four innings. A sacrifice fly by Alen scored centre-fielder Chris Roberson in the first inning, followed in the second by third baseman Josh Mazzola scoring on a double by designated hitter Kyle Day. In the fourth inning, a sacrifice fly by right-fielder Ridge Carpenter brought in Mazzola.

In the sixth inning, the Explorers got on the board after back-to-back doubles with left-fielder Yusuke Inoguchi scoring on designated hitter Peter Barrows' double.

After Rusch left the game, the Explorers staged a comeback attempt in the top of the eighth inning with a pair of hits and a run scored on relief pitcher Kaohi Downing to trail 3-2.

Day's double was the first extra-base hit for Winnipeg in two games while Mazzola led the team, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Goldeyes hold a two-game lead atop the American Association's North division.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca