Goldeyes back on track

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

A showdown between two longtime American Association rivals was on tap Wednesday night as the Winnipeg Goldeyes looked for an important win against the Gary SouthShore Railcats. Fans at Shaw Park would not be disappointed as the Goldeyes won a thrilling game by a final score of 4-3 thanks to some late game heroics at bat.

Following a close defeat on Tuesday night by a score of 3-1, the Fish, now 42-38, know that every game going forward is a near must win to stay alive for the playoffs in the highly competitive North Division.

“At this point we definitely have to win them all if we want to make it in,” said Goldeyes right fielder Max Murphy.

“Our division games are usually more important because it seems like this division as a whole seems to beat the South Division in our games against them.”

Murphy was one of the only Goldeyes in the previous game to register some hits and says their opponent cannot be taken for granted, despite their last place record in the division.

“They are a scrappy team, if you don’t hit against them they have a good shot at winning so you have to put them in their place early,” said Murphy.

“Gary kind of plays differently than a lot of the other teams in this league, they are more like young college guys.”

Goldeyes veteran shortstop Wes Darvill has seen his share of tough battles against the Railcats and like Murphy, says the Indiana club can surprise any American Association competition.

“Greg Taggart always has guys who can play all different positions, they all run the bases really well, they play good defence and they have attack hitters,” said Darvill.

“This is a really good ball club and maybe their record doesn’t necessarily show. Any given year especially in this North Division any team has a chance to win this whole thing. The division is always the toughest and no matter who you are playing they are going to come right at you. They are always a scrappy ball club.

Unlike the previous evening, the Goldeyes looked to amend their ways at bat and started out with a pleasant surprise from Fish catcher Deon Stafford. On their first hit of the game, Stafford launched a long ball to right field for his first home run of the season giving his team a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

The lead could have been extended if it weren’t for steady pitching from Railcats starter Adam Heidenfelder and their outfield. A base hit from Tyler Hill and a double struck by Murphy were left to waste as Jesus Marriaga, Gary’s right fielder made an excellent catch at the wall to end the inning.

Eduard Reyes got the start for the Fish on the mound and didn’t generate any concern for Goldeyes fans until the top of the fifth inning. Marriaga struck a double to centre field and would quickly score on a sacrifice by first baseman Hayden Schilling giving the Railcats their first run of the night and a tie ball game.

The decision to keep Reyes in at a critical juncture of the game can be seen as a turning point. Following a double by Alec Olund in the top of the sixth, Thomas Walraven would further test the pitcher with a single. The two men would both reach score on a triple hit by M.J. Rookard giving the Railcats a 3-1 lead.

Reyes would not survive the inning as Joseph Camacho would soon be put in relief for the starter. The Goldeyes best chance to put pressure on Heidenfelder came in the bottom of the inning as bases were loaded with Hill at bat on a 2-1 count with two outs. Unfortunately, Raul Navarro challenged to steal home plate and was called out.

In the last third of the game, Camacho accidentally struck Marty Bauer, the umpire and the man thankfully was able to get up after being noticeably stunned. Bauer left the game and created a significant pause in the inning bringing the game down to two umpires.

By the bottom of the inning, the Goldeyes caught a small spark at bat as Hill was able to get on base with a single. Murphy who has been very consistent at bat for the Fish in August knocked home his 62nd run on the year, bringing Hill home on a long double to centre. The 10th hit for the Fish would end Heidenfelder’s long night on the mound, and the Gary starter did enough to help give his team the chance to win.

Matt Vonderschmidt would go in for Heidenfelder and cause both Kyle Martin and Navarro to hit long catchable balls, ending the inning with the score 3-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, Nick Garcia would take the mound over from Vonderschmidt and the Fish who were keen to right the wrongs of yesterday’s loss quickly got men on base. With a single struck by Kevin Lachance and a long double followed up by Tyler Hill, Lachance would score on a sacrifice fly hit by none other than Stafford. On a tie ball game, Hill would reach home on a base hit to left field struck by Logan Hill giving the Fish a 4-3 lead on their 13th hit on the night. The crowd was ecstatic to see the Fish take the lead who remained patient at bat on the night and were rewarded with a hard earned victory.

Murphy nearly predicted the Fish win before the game as he figured the pitching rotation could keep the Railcats at bay.

“If the other team scores three runs, we should win,” said Murphy.

In the ninth inning, Donnie Hart made short work of the Railcats as the closing pitcher for the Fish and the 2,038 fans went home smiling.

“I think it’s just the total complete ball game, the starting pitching, the bullpen, hitting in big situations,” said Darvill.

“I think we got the right group of guys here and we all like playing for each other.”

The Goldeyes will wrap up their three game series against the Railcats, this afternoon at 12:05 p.m. for a matinee ball game.

 

jbernacki@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @JosephBernacki