Six-run seventh inning paces Goldeyes past Canaries

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/08/2024 (444 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s a new leader in the battle for best in the West in the American Association, as the Winnipeg Goldeyes have climbed to the top of the standings after a big 13-6 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries Tuesday night.

The Goldeyes and Canaries entered Game 1 of the crucial three-game series tied for first in the division. The teams, who have remained pretty evenly matched all season, were all tied up for the majority of the game — until a six-run seventh inning propelled the Fish to the win in front of 3,488 fans at Blue Cross Park.

“It was really big to come out in the first game and just put them away,” said designated hitter Max Murphy. “We’ve been playing really well, so we’re just trying to keep that going.”

The Fish, coming off a wild 14-12 win Sunday against the Lake Country DockHounds to close out a six-game road trip 5-1, got swinging early at home with a Dayson Croes single bringing in Ramón Bramasco and Rob Emery to open a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

However, a run by third-baseman Liam Spence in the top of the second brought the Canaries within one, which they followed up with a four-run third inning gaving the Canaries a 5-2 lead in the top of the third.

The best way to respond to a four-run inning is to have one of your own, which is what the Goldeyes pulled off with runs by Emery, Max Murphy, Croes and Andy Armstrong to take a 6-5 lead after three innings.

The back-and-forth affair continued with a solo home run by run by the Canaries’ Jordan Barth to once again tie the game in the top of the fourth.

The six-run seventh inning sealed the deal for the Goldeyes with runs by Nick Anderson, Jake McMurray, Armstrong, Roby Enríquez, Emery, Miles Simington and Max Murphy — who ended the inning by blasting a home run over left field.

Just for good measure, an Armstong single sent McMurray across the plate to stretch the Goldeyes’ lead to 13-6 in the bottom of the eighth.

“Going up against the team that is most certainly going to be in the playoffs and someone we might meet, it’s important to win the head-to-head season series against them,” said manager Logan Watkins.

Zac Reininger, who recently pitched a big 1-0 shutout victory against the Lincoln Saltdogs, allowed eight hits and six runs in four innings pitched, striking out one.

Relievers Ryder Yakel, Tasker Strobel and Thomas Ponticelli pitched the remainder of the game without allowing a run.

Canaries starter Ryan Zimmerman allowed five runs in two innings before being replaced by reliever Matt Dunaway.

The Goldeyes improved to 47-35 on the season, while the Canaries fell to 46-36. This series is the last time the teams will meet this regular season.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Murphy on playing the Canaries. “Our guys know a lot of their guys, playing against each other for a long time and we’re both really good teams, been consistent. So when we get together, it’s always a good game.”

“It’s good to be happy and optimistic now,” said Watkins. “But I’m not someone who is ready to pat everyone on the back and say the job is done yet.”

Joey Matulovich and Ty Culbreth — the two best pitchers in the league — will go head to head on Wednesday for Game 2 of the series at 6:30 p.m.

“If we play well,” said Watkins. “I don’t think there’s a team in the league that is better than us.”

zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca