American Association Insider: Friday June 26 Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

Six new series kicked off on Friday night in the American Association. Four of the series feature divisional matchups so sweeps could give us some separation.

Lincoln 8 Chicago 7 (11 innings)

Two teams currently on the outside looking in are meeting up at Haymarket Park this weekend in the battle of the Dogs, Dogs vs. (Salt)dogs. Lincoln scored a run in the eighth to tie the game at seven then scored the automatic runner in the 11th to walk it off. Jalyn Williams had three hits, a home run and three runs driven in for the Dogs. Nick Shumpert collected three hits and three RBI for the Saltdogs. In a league wide theme for 2026, neither starting pitcher made it through four innings. Lincoln's bullpen shut down the Dogs throwing 7.1 innings allowing one run on five hits, only two hits and no runs after six. The Saltdog's bullpen has been throwing well, it's just getting to it with a lead that is holding back the Saltdogs.

Photo courtesy of Brandon Anderson


Kane County 9 Sioux Falls 5

In the game that I did color for with Tanner Hoops, the Cougars collected 12 hits and scored nine runs, rallying from a 4-2 deficit to defeat the Canaries in a rematch of the Miles Wolff Cup Final. Cougars starter Ben Kowalski looked great through the first trip through the order, but the Canaries collected four hits and scored four runs in the fourth. From there the Cougars only allowed two hits, including a solo home run by Trevor Achenbach. Matt Bottcher had a big night in his return to the Birdcage as an opponent going 3-4 with three runs batted in. The Canaries were rebranded as the Minnehaha Martians, losing their second consecutive game as the Martians and third in a row overall. 

Winnipeg 7 Fargo-Moorhead 4

The Goldeyes scored three runs, highlighted by a Ramon Bramasco RBI triple to break a 4-4 deadlock to defeat the RedHawks. The RedHawks may have had a bigger loss as Dillon Thomas left the game injured in the bottom of the eighth. Remains to be seen the extent of his injury. A big blow if he's out for a while. Thomas went 3-4 before having to leave the game. No matter who the Goldeyes put in the top four of the lineup, they produce with them going 7-14 with four runs batted in on Friday. 

Kansas City 8 Sioux City 4

Peniel Otano had been a revelation for the Explorers but Friday night was his first real hiccup as the big inning victimized him. Four runs in the fourth and three in the sixth. Eight runs overall in 5.2 innings. If you want a bright side, he nearly went six innings to not tax the bullpen. Grant Gambrell won his second straight start allowing two runs in six innings. No runs after the first inning. Sahid Valenzuela, the likely 2nd baseman for the West All Star team went 4-5 raising his batting average to .329. Kansas City looks poised to run and hide with the West Division lead even with a fluctuating roster due to signings and injuries. 

Lake Country 8 Gary SouthShore 1

Are the DockHounds ready to head back up on the roller coaster of a season they are having? They picked up their second win in a row with second baseman Jack Blomgren going 4-4 at the plate with five runs batted in, Blomgren has driven in eight in his last two games. RailCats pitching after being on a roll has now allowed 19 runs in the last two games. 

Cleburne 2 Milwaukee 0

The Railroaders are on their hottest stretch of baseball winning their fourth in a row, knocking off Milwaukee on the road. Scott Ellis went the distance throwing a four hitter. Until Cole Foster homered in the eighth inning to break a scoreless deadlock, Ellis may have thought he was heading to a no decision. Edinson Batista threw seven shutout innings only allowing two hits in picking up a no decision. 






































 



















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