Fish falter to start homestand

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This article was published 18/08/2021 (1517 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes didn’t want to give up any of the momentum they worked so hard to build in early August as they returned to Shaw Park Tuesday night.

Too bad. Facing the Gary SouthShore Railcats in the first of a three-game series, the Fish, 8-2 in their previous 10 games, began a six-game homestand after a strong road trip in Illinois. Despite their strong play of late, the Goldeyes fell 3-1 and dropped to 41-38 on the season. Every game from here on in is of critical importance for the Goldeyes as they bounce between 4-5 games behind the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for the final wild-card spot in the division.

“I think we’ve been playing a lot better maybe the last month or so,” said second baseman Kevin Lachance before the game.

“I think we’ve been able to continue that momentum, just playing good baseball on all sides, hitting, defence, pitching, base running all that stuff.”

The Railcats, now 33-49, sit last in the American Association’s North Division, but looked to test the Winnipeg squad by challenging Fish right-hander Jose Vasquez early.

Railcats centre-fielder Jesus Marriaga stung a single and stole second and first baseman Hayden Schilling singled him home giving the Railcats a 1-0 lead in the first frame.

The Goldeyes looked to respond in the bottom of the third. After Dakota Conners, Austin Rei and Tyler Hill were all walked, the scene was set for heroics from Fish shortstop Wes Darvill.

With bases loaded, Darvill hit a ball to centre to plate Conners with his 26th RBI of the season. Darvill wasn’t credited with a hit, however, as the centre fielder threw Hill out at second on a fielder’s choice. Two of the Fish’s strongest hitters, Max Murphy and Kyle Martin, struck out and popped out respectively, leaving Rei and Darvill and the score 1-1.

Martin, who entered the night one home run shy of tying the Goldeyes’ single-season record at 29 and three back of the American Association record of 31, came up short on this occasion but is having a tremendous season.

“I try to stay as consistent as possible and focus on the day to day and keep it as simple as possible,” said Martin.

“I just go out there and do anything I can to help.”

With a club record 93 RBI, the first baseman isn’t about to let personal goals interfere with team goals.

“Never, you silence it because once you focus on it then you think too much and things can go awry,” said Martin.

“Like I said I just try to keep the same routine day to day and focus on what I have to focus on.”

Martin will get another crack at the record tonight.

The Railcats put two more on the board in the fourth when Vasquez hit Alec Olund with a pitch, Thomas Walraven doubled and Raymond Jones drilled a single.

A trio of relievers shut down the Railcats the rest of the way but the Goldeyes couldn’t mount any more offence.

The Fish tallied only four hits, compared to Gary’s eight.

Attendance at Shaw Park was 2,041 and there was a noticeable number of jerseys worn on the occasion of hockey night at the ballpark. The Goldeyes will look to recover as they continue the series tonight at 6:30 p.m.

jbernacki@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @JosephBernacki