American Association Baseball Insider

 Since I'm one of the few people associated with baseball in Minnesota that didn't get traded today, I'm still around to give you your nightly recaps. And oh boy what a night it was. You had threats on league records, milestone managerial wins and one of the craziest finishes you'll ever see.  Sioux City 9 Kansas City 8 (8 innings) When we last met last night, I had described the situation as bunk. But fast forward to today and things have a way of working out, at least in the eyes of the Explorers. Luis Toribio came in to pinch hit with the bases loaded from last night. Toribio hit a dramatic grand slam to tie the game at eight. The next two Explorers reached setting the stage for a game winning Torin Montgomery sacrifice fly. Safe to say, grand slams have not been kind to the Monarchs in the last week. The win was managerial win #600 for manager Steve Montgomery. Credit Tim Tushla ,Sioux City Explorers Kane County 9 Chicago 4 Who needs a balanced attack when you have ...

 Six games in all across the league on Wednesday night. I should be on with Dan Vaughan on the Sioux City Explorers pregame tomorrow night on KSCJ talking American Association Baseball.  Sioux City 4 Kansas City 2 With the game resumed, Jorge Bonifacio homered to left to give the Monarchs a 2-1 lead. But the Explorers got the running game going in the bottom of the frame, taking the lead 3-2 on a Josh Day sacrifice fly. The Explorers added another run in the eighth on a Henry George RBI double. From there the Explorers 1-2 of Chase Jessee and Felix Cepeda shut the door on the Monarchs. Kansas City 8 Sioux City 4 (suspended in eighth inning of seven inning game) In rainy conditions that made it tough for pitchers to throw strikes, Kansas City took advantage and scored six runs in the top of the eighth. Remember, it was a scheduled seven inning game. Sioux City had cut the lead to 8-4 as Monarchs reliever Steffon Moore was scuffling throwing in the same conditions. But, alas the...

Five of the six games were completed on Tuesday night with one of the five being rain shortened. Kane County 5 Chicago 2 In an early start, the Dogs could not keep the Cougars out of Impact Field, as the Cougars behind two run singles by Trendon Craig and Marcus Chiu and six innings of one run ball by Vin Timpanelli defeated the Dogs. As I was alerted to by Dogs play by play broadcaster Aaron Shelan, Chance Sisco had a 32 game on base streak going into the game, but went 0-4 to end it.  Fargo-Moorhead 4 Winnipeg 2 Kyle Crigger nearly went the distance, going 8.2 innings to help defeat the Goldeyes 4-2 at Blue Cross Park. Jose Sermo went 3-5 and Dillon Thomas along with Nicholas Northcut both homered for the RedHawks. Roby Enriquez went 3-4 with a double and both runs batted in for the Saltdogs. The RedHawks now own the league's longest winning streak at five games. Lake Country 6 Cleburne 0 Connor Fenlong in his third start of the season after 15 relief outings, threw seven shutout...

 On a hot Sunday afternoon in the American Association, we would see rain affect several games, resulting in a cancellation of one. Chicago vs. Winnipeg Cancelled due to rain This could look large if either team is in a neck to neck race for a playoff spot. The Dogs and Goldeyes do not meet the rest of the season, so it'll be a 99 game schedule for both squads. Kansas City 9 Kane County 7 Behind a tie breaking four run ninth inning, the Monarchs were able to avoid a sweep in Kane County. Micah Pries drove in two runs and Robbie Glendinning connected for a two run home run in the top of the ninth. The Glendinning home run was the difference as Marcus Chiu had a two run home run in the last of the ninth to cut the lead to two. Chiu went 3-4 with three runs driven in while Pries and Glendinning each drove in three runs, Glendinning had two home runs for the day. Fargo-Moorhead 5 Lincoln 4 It was Newman Outdoor Field magic coming through again as the RedHawks rallied from a two run def...

In an ironic twist, I'm writing this blog on Saturday night at CHS Field. The St. Paul Saints hosted the 2016 and 2019 American Association All Star Games. Both of which land on my list of favorite baseball memories. The game itself is fine, but I really enjoy the pageantry of the event. Plus it's fun to see fans and from throughout the league get together and celebrate the league.   There are a couple of things in life that are tough to get over as I've found in the last week. Being an older man who enjoys too much sweet beverages, and red meat, I found it at made me a prime candidate for gout. Throw on top of it a continual bout of dehydration, my All Star Game week was going to be different than what was expected.  I did not attend the Prospects tryout nor the youth baseball clinic on Monday. It will be interesting to see if any players from the camp land contracts and make an impact as the season winds down. I have to imagine that there may not have been too much to c...

 It was the last Saturday night of American Association action for July. The season is flying by. There were two extra innings and a walkoff grand slam among the six games league wide. Sioux City 2 Gary SouthShore 1 (10 innings) A Jairus Richards home run in the first inning was all the offense the RailCats could muster against Kyle Marman in eight innings of work. Likewise a third inning Zach Vooletich single was the only mark against Andres Diaz in his eight innings. The Explorers managed to score Nolan Lane (better name for ghost runner) from second in the 10th inning and Felix Cepeda shut down the RailCats in the bottom half to preserve the win.  Sioux Falls 6 Lake Country 2 The Canaries scored six runs in their last two innings at the plate to overtake the DockHounds and win their third in a row versus the East Division leading DockHounds. It was the long ball that did the job for the Canaries. Mike Hart led off the seventh with a solo home run to tie the game. Drey Dirks...

 I was going to give myself the rest of the week off, but things worked out and my tens of readers are going to get their recaps tonight. Sorry for the hiatus, I hope you enjoyed the Sunday Insider tribute to Jeff Bittiger. Well today, we lost another icon, albeit in a much different line of work. Hulk Hogan's death rocked me a bit as someone that is having trouble coming to grips with being on the wrong side of 50. I've been binge watching shows and games from the 1980's and there was nobody more iconic in the 1980's than Hulk Hogan. Tonight's recaps will have drops from his iconic theme song, Real American. Kane County 13 Kansas City 4 When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside, you gotta take a stand it don't help to hide. The Cougars after a difficult season that sees them in fourth in the East, took a stand against the Monarchs, winning 13-4 at Northwestern Medicine Field. Claudio Finol raised his average to .279 with a four hit effort. All Star Armond...

 Before we get to the topic of the Insider, I want to apologize to those who read the nightly recaps. I've been laid up with gout and dehydration this week. I haven't been able to muster up the energy to do the work involved with getting the recaps out in a timely manner. I'll be back with them after the All Star Break. Yesterday afternoon I came across the news that legendary Independent Baseball pitcher, coach, and scout Jeff Bittiger lost his battle with Cancer at the age of 63. I knew that Bittiger had Cancer a few years back, but didn't know what the severity of it was. The last time I talked to him was in September of 2020. At the time Bittiger in what was a lost year for Minor League Baseball, was doing color commentary for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. I can imagine it was an outlet for Bittiger without having players to scout in any other league but the American Association, playing a truncated 50 game schedule. Bill Tyler and I spoke to Bittiger after a game. H...

 Seven games on tap for a Sunday afternoon in the American Association. If you weren't at a ballpark, I hope you all enjoyed your Sunday, whatever you did.  Milwaukee 12 Kane County 3 The Milkmen building on the momentum of last night's walk off win defeated the Cougars at Franklin Field. The Milkmen put this one away with a five run third inning, highlighted by a three run home run by Scott Ota. It was a part of a three RBI day for Ota. Last night's hero Chase Estep went 4-6 and Delvin Perez went 4-5 to lead the Milkmen attack. Chase Gearing won his second start in a row with a six inning, one earned run effort.  Kansas City 5 Winnipeg 4 A Ross Adolph sacrifice fly in the sixth inning put the Monarchs ahead for good as they defeated the Goldeyes for the ninth time in ten games at Blue Cross Park. Jailyn Williams went 3-5 for the Goldeyes to lead a 11 hit attack. Andy Armstrong had three hits out of the nine hole for the Goldeyes. Daniel Martinez made it through five inni...

 As I got home from work today, my Saturday night options were out there. I could've gone to the St. Paul Saints game. I could've gone to a nearby town to catch a Townball game. After working the paying job I was peopled out. Getting on the road last weekend was fun, but then here I am back in baseball purgatory, not a team to root for, just following a league as a whole, it's left me depressed. So I decided to stay home, eventually grilling out, by the way, if you're ever near Sioux City, pick up Tiefenthaler's brats, they are great on the grill. In between the time I got home and then grilling out, I decided to watch the game that is known to most now as Disco Demolition Night. It was the 46th anniversary of the game on Saturday. So I decided to watch the game in its entirety on Saturday afternoon. Watching the game, it was fun to listen to the banter of Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall. Caray was so excited about how many fans were already in center field where the...

 It was nearly a full  slate of Saturday baseball in the American Association, Cleburne and Sioux City did not get going in spite of the fact that as of 9 pm there had not been any rain.  Gary SouthShore 13 Lake Country 2 The RailCats had the offense rolling today. The RailCats scored three in the second inning. Two were scored on a two RBI double by Jairus Richards that saw DockHounds left fielder Brian Rey collide with the outfield wall. Rey ended up being stretchered off the field. Best wishes to Rey, hope to see him back on the field soon. The RailCats pulled away in the fifth scoring six runs on their way to a lopsided win. Lake Country was already playing short having lost Imanol Vargas to Mexico and had to lose their DH after Rey left the game. Newcomer Ernesto Zaragoza got the win going six innings allowing two runs. Richards drove in four runs while Cooper Edwards drove in five runs. Jake Guenther and Ernny Ordonez each had three hits. Milwaukee 5 Kane County 2 (...

 Six full games and a continuation of one from Winnipeg highlight the American Association schedule on Friday night. I was at a concert tonight, so I'm winging this big time from Pointstreak.  Kansas City 1 Winnipeg 0 The Monarchs came out victorious in the continuation of a game from last month, 5-3 then needed just one run coming from an Alex McGarry in the second inning to win the second game at Blue Cross Park. Josh Hendrickson continues the master of the Goldeyes throwing six shutout innings to get his seventh win. Hendrickson has two starts versus the Goldeyes and has not allowed a run in 12 innings. Mitchell Lambson was the hard luck loser going the distance and allowing the one run. In his last two starts, Lambson has allowed two runs in 17 innings and has a loss and no decision to show for it. Gary SouthShore 4 Lake Country 1 The Railcats once again get excellent pitching from Spencer Adams, this time he's rewarded as he allowed a run in six innings, following an eigh...

 Two day games, two night games and two games  suspended (Milwaukee vs. Chicago, Lake Country vs. Kane County) in the American Associaiton on Thursday. Sioux City 7 Kansas City 5 The Explorers got off to a 7-2 and held on to take the series from the Monarchs at Legends Field. Zach Vooletich and Josh Day each collected three hits and drove in two runs in the winning effort. Angel Macuare picked up his first win for Sioux City going five innings in his second start of the season. Ross Adolph and Alex McGarry homered for the Monarchs. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi Gary SouthShore 2 Fargo-Moorhead 1 (10 innings) Elvis Peralta drove in the run from second base as the RailCats picked up a series win versus the RedHawks at U.S. Steel Yard. There needs to be some official name for the runner that begins extra innings on second base. I've heard phanton rummer, zombie runner, fantasy runner. I thought it should be named after a legendary player from the past. So I'll say this, Co...

Sorry for the late recaps, I was at a Townball game in Wisconsin. My fourth game in a week in four different states.  Kane County 11 Lake Country 7 After being beaten in a rain shortened game on Tuesday night, the Cougars got even scoring 11 runs at home to defeat the DockHounds. Trendon Craig, Claudio Finol and Zane Spinn all had three hits for the Cougars while Todd Lott homered. Down 6-5 in the seventh, the Cougars scored four times with the big hit being a Robby Martin Jr. two run single. Spinn followed with a two run single of his own.  Chicago 7 Milwaukee 6 (10 innings) A passed ball in the last of the tenth inning allowed Dusty Stroup to score the winning run as the Dogs once again defeated the Milkmen. Henry Kusiak homered for the Dogs while Jacob Maiben led the Dogs with three hits. Micker Adolfo and Joe Gray both homered for the Milkmen in the losing effort.  Cleburne 7 Lincoln 3 Cleburne breaks open a 3-3 ball game with four runs in the eighth inning highlighte...

 Six games in league action on Tuesday night featuring the top two teams in the West battling it out, the best versus the best under the lights at Legends Field. Sioux City 4 Kansas City 2 Zach Vooletich drove in a run with a double in the first and added a huge insurance run with a home run in the ninth to help lead the Explorers to a big win at Legends Field. Jake Wetherbee was brilliant going six innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six to pick up his league leading seventh win.  Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi Lake Country 10 Kane County 4 (7 innings) It was all DockHounds as they took the opener of the series at Northwestern Medicine Field. Imanol Vargas keeps doing Imanol Vargas things, hitting his fifth home run, a two run shot and driving in three runs. In the I'm getting old department. Reese Ligtenberg made his pro debut on the mound for Kane County. Ligtenberg is the son of former major leaguer Kerry Ligtenberg who I remember watching ...

A full slate of games to wrap up the Holiday weekend. Kansas City 6 Lincoln 3 Julian Garcia threw seven innings of one run ball, striking out five to pick up his fifth win of the season. Ross Adolph drove in a run in the fourth inning to make it a 3-0 game. Robbie Glendinning followed with a two run single as the Monarchs pulled away. Spencer Henson homered for the Saltdogs.   Fargo-Moorhead 2 Winnipeg 1 Dillon Thomas drove in the winning run to lead off the bottom of the 11th to give the RedHawks the series win. Mitch Lambson went 10 innings to pick up a no decision for the Goldeyes throwing only 89 pitches.  Cleburne 8 Lake Country 2 The Railroaders scored five runs in the second inning to take a 6-0 lead and cruised to victory. Andres Sosa homered as part of a three hit, 2 RBI day. Kane County 3 Chicago 0 The Cougars only had three hits for the day but took advantage of them to win the third game of their wraparound series with the Dogs. Marcus Chiu hit his fifth home ...

 Two day games and four under the lights on this Saturday in the Association. Cleburne 14 Lake Country 8 (10 innings) After what had to be an agonizing stretch for the Railroaders, they finally got one against Lake Country going to extra innings to do it. It looked like an easy go of it as the Roaders had a 7-2 lead after the top of the seventh. The DockHounds weren't going to be denied, scoring four in the eighth and another in the ninth to force extra frames. The Roaders hung a seven in the tenth to finish off the DockHounds. Dustin Peterson went 4-5 with two home runs and Jesus Lujano continued a hot streak at the plate going 3-6 (nine hits in the last three games). Shed Long, Cooper Weiss and Andres Sosa with a grand slam all homered for the Roaders. Daunte Stuart's game tying home run was part of a three home day for the DockHounds with Brian Rey and Aaron Hill all connecting. Stuart led the DockHounds collecting three hits.  Winnipeg 4 Fargo-Moorhead 1 Three Goldeyes pit...

 We've got through May, cruised through June and are now into July, so of course that means All Star Game picks. The American Association version of the Mid Summer Classic will be in Fargo two weeks from Monday. A skills competition (haven't seen one of those in a long time) and the Home Run Derby will be on Monday July 21, with the All Star Game on Tuesday night. Players stats were as of July 4th. Click here for your All Star Game Tickets West Division Catcher: Juan Fernandez, Fargo-Moorhead. Fernandez after an injury plagued 2024, has stayed healthy and has been a mainstay of the RedHawks lineup thus far in 2025. Fernandez has 23 RBI and is batting .313 First Base: Matthew Warkentin, Winnipeg. Warkentin has come on strong in the last few weeks to become part of the conversation. I could see the votes putting Josh Rehwaldt at first base but he has been in the outfield more times than not lately. Warkentin going into Friday has nine home runs and 32 runs batted in with a .292 a...

 I hope that all of you that have better jobs than me and had the day off today enjoyed themselves. A full slate of series started today/tonight Lake Country 8 Cleburne 7 The only day game on the slate saw the DockHounds continue their mastery over the Railroaders. Lots of early excitement as the DockHounds took a 7-4 lead after three innings. It got quiet after that until the Railroaders scored three in the eighth to tie the game. In a game with 15 combined runs, it was a sacrifice fly by Brian Rey that put the DockHounds ahead. Eric Torres pitched a scoreless ninth in spite of walking two batters to pick up his 11th save. Ryan Hernandez and Hayden Dunhurst homered for the DockHounds. Aaron Altherr homered for the Railroaders while Jesus Lujano went 4-5 with three runs batted in. Chicago 5 Kane County 3 Led by a 3-4 effort by Jacob Maiben, Derek's brother, and a home run by T.J. Hopkins, the Dogs emerged victorious at Impact Field. Marcus Chiu continued his hot streak for the Coug...