Goldeyes snap out of mini-slump

THE Winnipeg Goldeyes scored three runs in the eighth and one in the ninth then held on to halt a four-game losing skid by beating the Sioux City Explorers 10-9 on Sunday night in Sioux City, Iowa.

Kaohi Downing, working the ninth inning, gave up two runs but recorded his second save as the Goldeyes (19-10) increased their lead in the American Association's North Division to four games.

"That's something to be said about his (Downing) big-wave surfing," Goldeyes pitching coach Bill Pulsipher told TSN 1290 radio, referring to the sport favoured by the Hawaiian native.

"When you're out there and you've got a chance to die when the waves crash in on you, it's no big deal when there's guys on base. He kept his cool, kept his composure and kept executing pitches and it turned out alright for him. Obviously he doesn't want to give up any runs. But the fact that we finished the game one run ahead means that he did his job."

There were six lead changes in the game as Sioux City (16-15) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end in front of 1,187 spectators.

Winnipeg headed to Sioux Falls, S.D., after Sunday's game to play a three-game set starting today against the Pheasants.

The Goldeyes, trailing 4-1 after the first, battled back to take a 9-7 lead in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Jon Weber and a two-out, two-run double by third baseman Yurendell de Caster. Outfielder Ridge Carpenter had the winning RBI in the ninth.

Winnipeg benefitted from solid hitting from bottom-of-the-order batters Kyle Day (one hit, two runs scored), Josh Mazzola (two hits, two runs scored), Carpenter (three hits, two runs scored) and David Narodowski (one hit, one run scored).

The Goldeyes would not confirm reports late Sunday that infielder Yurendell de Caster is leaving the team this week after having signed with a Mexican League team.

-- staff

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 18, 2012 C8