Fish squeak past Cougars on late fielding error

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This article was published 05/06/2024 (509 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Gio Brusa and the Winnipeg Goldeyes had some home-field luck on their side Wednesday.

The designated hitter for the Fish hit a grounder with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning that was misplayed by Kane County Cougars’ second baseman Josh Allen, allowing the tying and winning runs to score.

The Goldeyes and a crowd of 6,438 — including a sea of enthusiastic school kids taking in the rare late-morning start at Blue Cross Field — celebrated a 4-3 comeback win against the American Association’s East Division leaders.

The error allowed Miles Simington (who led off the ninth with a double) and Rob Emery (who was hit by a pitch) to scamper home.

The Goldeyes benefitted from another strong outing from one of their starters. Travis Seabrooke allowed four hits and two earned runs in seven innings, while striking out eight batters.

“I just tried to throw as many strikes as I can,” said Seabrooke. “Our defensive team is so good that I just throw strikes and make them put the ball in play. Our defence can make a bunch of plays and our hitters are good enough to go and score.

“We’ve got a mindset going in that we’re going to try and win every series,” he added. “Because we have the team, the offence, defence and the pitching staff to do that.”

After four scoreless innings, Kane County’s Simon Reid blasted a shot over the right-field fence with a runner aboard to open the scoring.

The Fish responded in the bottom of the sixth when Max Murphy displayed why he was named the league’s batter of the week, belting a home run that also plated Dayson Croes to tie the game.

However, with a pitching switch at the top of the eighth, Nick Trogrlic-Iverson allowed a home run by Kane County shortstop Harrison Smith for a 3-2 lead for the visitors.

Winnipeg reliever Justin Courtney worked a tidy ninth inning to give his squad a chance.

“I think (pitching) is definitely the strength of our team,” said manager Logan Watkins. “Our starting pitching has just been really, really good and they always seem to give us a chance to win every game.”

Seabrooke picked up the win, following up a strong performance by Joey Matulovich who did not allow a hit until the seventh inning in a 1-0 loss to the Cougars on Tuesday.

The Goldeyes improved to 12-13 on the season, while the Cougars fell to 15-10.

“We’ve had a lot of close games, so it feels good to be on the other side of that,” said Watkins. “Eventually if our record is going to be what we want it to be we have to be able to win close games.”

The Goldeyes begin a six-game road trip Friday in Milwaukee against the Milkmen.

zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca