American Association Insider: Miles Wolff Cup Finals Game One

 As someone who wears the American Association cap, figuratively and literally, tonight's Game One of the Miles Wolff Cup Finals was a great showcase for the league. A Marcus Chiu single plated Trendon Craig in the last of the ninth as the Kane County Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the series winning 4-3.


Photo courtesy of Kane County Cougars


Let's deep dive into this one. 

Jack Fox got the start for the Cougars. Fox was hit around by Chicago in his other post season start, allowing five runs in the first inning. So eyes were on Fox as this one began. The five year Cougar vet though got out of the first retiring the Canaries in order. Feeding on that, the Cougars scored in the first with Todd Lott driving in Craig to make it 1-0.

The Canaries got to Fox in the second with the first three batters singling. With the sacks loaded, a Peter Zimmerman fly out tied the game, But Jordan Barth was thrown out trying to steal third and Scott Combs flew out as the Birds could not put up a crooked number. 

The Canaries took the lead in the fifth. Josh Rehwaldt homered to dead center field, an area where not many batters can reach. The Canaries loaded the bases later in the inning forcing Fox from the game, but could just muster a bases loaded walk to make it 3-1.

The Cougars matched it in their half of the inning. Three of the first four batters reached with Josh Allen driving in a run against former teammate Matt Solter. Solter left the game with Cole LaLonde getting a big strikeout, but a wild pitch tied the game at three.

From there both bullpens took over until the ninth inning. With Samuel Alvarado still pitching for the Canaries, Craig reached on an error by Trevor Achenbach on a broken bat grounder that may have caused the ball to have some english on it. After a long battle to retire Allen, a two out single to right by Marcus Chiu on another broken bat gave the the Cougars the walk off win. Josh Rehwaldt broke back on the ball and could not recover, though I don't think he would've had a play regardless. 

So the Canaries have lost Game One in all three rounds, BUT they have won Game Two in both rounds thus far. The Canaries send 11 game winner lefty Thomas Dorminy versus Major League veteran Chris Mazza for the Cougars. Advantage Canaries as Mazza has struggled as of late battling a blister. But there is something about Major League vets in post season play. It should be a good matchup, Game Two is at 6:30 at Northwestern Medicine Field.


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