Grand slam hoists Monarchs over slumping Fish

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This article was published 12/06/2023 (868 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Goldeyes will leave town with a bad taste in their mouths after getting dumped 7-0 by the Kansas City Monarchs Sunday.

The Monarchs (18-9) swept the weekend series with the Goldeyes, who drop to 11-16 on the season and now sit fifth of six teams in the west division of the American Association.

Winnipeg native Marc-Andre Habeck started for the Goldeyes and gave up two earned runs on four hits and a walk in four innings. This was just the second start for the College Jeanne-Sauve graduate who has mostly been used in relief this season. The four innings were a season high for him.

Trouble came in the fifth inning when pitcher James Varela made his season debut for the Fish. He walked the first three batters he faced and surrendered a grand slam to Kansas City’s Chris Hermann that increased the Monarchs’ lead to 6-0.

That was the nail in the coffin for the Goldeyes.

“Tough debut for James, you know, first time out there… he’s got the right background (and he has had) a lot of success in his career, but you know the three walks and the grand slam probably put the story to bed,” said manager Greg Tagert.

Jalen Miller was fantastic on the mound for the Monarchs pitching seven scoreless innings and giving up just three hits and two walks.

Despite the Goldeyes offensive struggles, shortstop Andy Armstrong had a productive outing. Armstrong had a double and a walk and almost reached first on a drag bunt that advanced runners to second and third in the eighth inning. Armstrong said the key for him at the plate is to keep things simple.

“I’m just trying not to do too much,” he said. “For me, just simplifying stuff and being loose up there.”

Goldeyes third baseman Dayson Croese extended his hit streak to 24 games on a single to right field in the fifth inning.

His teammate Armstrong said it has been special to watch him.

“It’s fun to watch him hit,” said Armstrong. “He’s one of the best contact hitters, he’s swinging at a lot of balls that are over his head and finds a way to make contact, so the man’s hand-eye coordination is unbelievable.”

Tagert agreed and said the streak is even more impressive given Croese was in college just a year ago.

“This isn’t some seasoned veteran knocking around American Association pitching. This is a guy fresh off the college campus at Quincy and a young kid out of Aruba doing something that, regardless of how long it goes, is pretty unique and special.”

The Goldeyes visit the Sioux Falls Canaries Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.

donald.stewart@freepress.mb.ca