Snapshot T-Bones starter Mark Michael went 75 pitches before giving up a hit in the bottom of the sixth inning as the visitors spanked the Goldeyes 9-0 before 5,406 customers at Canwest Park on Saturday night.
Winnipeg rookie Dustin Richardson broke up the no-hitter with a single to right field. While Michael was sharp, Goldeyes starter Robert Ransom had little going for him and was down 6-0 when manager Rick Forney took the ball from him.
Ransom lasted three complete innings, giving up six hits and six runs with five earned on 63 pitches.
Michael lasted 5 2/3 innings allowing just two hits and no runs.
The Fish have made six errors over the last two games and collected 11 hits in that same span. Not a formula for success.
The Goldeyes are now 1-2 on the young season while the T-Bones are 2-1.
Sore thumb
Goldeyes first baseman Scott Schade was hit by a pitch in the third inning and did not return to the field for the fourth inning. The Georgia native is scheduled to have X-rays on his thumb today.
Fans on shortstop
We put the question to Winnipeg baseball fans which Northern League shortstop they considered the best: Winnipeg's Max Poulin or Kansas City's Geoff McCallum. The votes came in and Poulin took 80 per cent of the tally.
McCauley on shortstop
T-Bones manager Andy McCauley says McCallum is his man. "I've had Geoff on three of my teams so I've known him a long time and I've known Maxie for a long time. I may be biased but they're the best two shortstops in the league, no doubt about it.
"I like Geoff a little ahead of Maxie. Max is off to a hot start at the plate but Geoff has been more consistent over the years. They're both excellent on defence, Max will make the spectacular play and Geoff makes things look routine. If I had to choose and start my team with a shortstop, you couldn't go wrong either way but I'd take McCallum over Poulin. I'm sure your poll will say otherwise but Max gets the hometown advantage."
Forney on shortstop
Goldeyes manager Rick Forney was quick to back Poulin. "You don't think I'm going to say Geoff McCallum do you? I'd take my guy, of course. I think Max Poulin is the best defensive shortstop in the league. He matured as a player last year and worked hard on his offence and has become more of a complete player."
Expansion talk
While league observers and on-field staff have been bemoaning the current six-team structure of the Northern League, league directors have been quietly working toward both expansion for 2009 and an inter-league play arrangement with the rival American Association.
Nothing has been accomplished as of yet and the league is attempting to keep things hush-hush but the directors know as well as anyone else that six teams aren't enough. We hear things are heating up on both fronts and the league would like to have something to announce at its all-star game in Winnipeg this July.
Today
T-Bones at Goldeyes, Canwest Park, 1:35 p.m.
gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca
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