American Association Insider: Sunday June 28 Takeaways, Power Rankings

 Kevin Luckow

(not a member of IBWAA)

I hope everyone enjoyed the Sunday Insider today. It was tough to come up with a team. Some spots, candidates were overflowing, others it was tough to find someone. We'll find out in the next week, just how accurate Bob the Blogger from Bumpkinville picked the squads. Before we get into the Takeaways, I want to apologize for not taking notice of Givoanni DiGiacomo's hitting streak now at 18 games after a hit on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Aaron Shelan for squeezing that into the video the league posted on their socials this afternoon. I wrapped up a four game stretch on the road on Sunday afternoon, providing color for the Kane County at Sioux Falls game on the Canaries broadcast network. I'm still undecided on going to the All Star Game. I'm having trouble justifying five and half hours of driving each way for one night's action. So, I'm not sure when I'll be on the road again. 

Cleburne 5 Milwaukee 4

The Railroaders may petition the American Association to wear their road jerseys at La Moderna Field as the Roaders completed a 6-0 road trip. Down 3-2, the Railroaders got to the Milkmen bullpen for three runs in the last three innings to come back for the win. Angel Mendoza had three runs batted in to lead the Railroader attack. Good news for Milwaukee as Solomon Bates made his return to the Milkmen rotation going six innings and leaving with the lead after allowing just two runs. 

Sioux City 8 Kansas City 6

In a feat so unbecoming the Explorers and Lewis and Clark Park, Sioux City clubbed four home runs in a five run fourth inning and rode it to a series winning game. Henry George, Braulio Vasquez, Zane Denton and Dillon Tatum all went deep. Explorers pitching held the Monarchs to six hits but walked eight batters to keep Kansas City in the game. Zach Willeman got the win allowing four runs in six innings, striking out eight.

Lincoln 8 Chicago 6

The Dogs could not get out of Lincoln fast enough as the Saltdogs used a five run eighth inning to rally and gain the sweep. The big hit was a Calyn Halvorson single that drove in two runs to give the Saltdogs the lead for good. Cary Arbolida, Jake Hjelle and Connor Bagnieski (a self admitted All Star snub) all homered for the Saltdogs. While the previously mentioned DiGiacomo had a two run home run for the Dogs. Steven Lacey gave the Dogs a chance to win going seven innings allowing three runs, two earned. It doesn't get easier as the second place Milwaukee Milkmen (stinging from a series loss) pay a visit to Impact Field for three games starting Tuesday. The Dogs now sit 12 games out of first and 6.5 out of a playoff spot. We're only reaching the 40 game mark, but the Dogs need to get something going soon.

Lake Country 18 Gary SouthShore 2

Matt Reitz who I had picked on my All Star team was victimized by two errors that led to giving up 13 runs, eight earned in 4.1 innings. The DockHounds took five balls out of Kamp Oconomowoc with Jake Snider hitting a pair, Ray Zuberer III, Jack Blomgren and Mario Feliciano all leaving the yard. Feliciano would have garnered All Star contention if he had played all season. He had six home runs, 13 runs driven in and a .404 on base percentage in his 21 games as a DockHound. The DockHounds collected 19 hits and six free passes for the day.

Fargo-Moorhead 5 Winnipeg 1

Good news for RedHawks fans as it looks like Kolby Kiser is finding the form he had last season. Kiser pitched five scoreless innings to get the win. It was his second win of the week as he allowed two runs in 12.1 innings for the week. More good news for the RedHawks as Dillon Thomas returned to the lineup and got his club on the board with a double in the first inning. The RedHawks bullpen allowed one run and three hits and four relievers were used. 

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi


Kane County 11 Sioux Falls 10

The game I was that became the craziest game of the day, the Cougars used a ninth inning comeback to complete the sweep of the Canaries. Todd Lott had given the Cougars a 3-0 lead with a first inning home run. Down 5-2 and against a real good pitcher in Reese Sharp, the Canaries put up eight runs in the fourth inning to knock Sharp out of the game and take control of the game. The big blow of the inning being an Anthony Hall bases loaded double knocking in all runners. Little things however added up for the Canaries and led to the Cougars coming back. Mason Minzey, catching his second game of the season, had a passed ball on a third strike with two outs that led to a run. Charles Mack hit a two run home run in the eighth that got the Cougars to within two runs. In the ninth, holding on to the lead, closer Charlie Hasty induced a ground ball that should've been a double play to end the game. 2nd baseman TJ Racherbaumer, normally a catcher, dropped the ball on the transfer to give the Cougars life. Alex McGarry walked, and McGarry and pinch runner Nick Delassandro advanced to scoring position setting the stage for Claudio Finol. Finol once again delivered in the clutch at the Birdcage singling in two runs to give the Cougars the lead. Art Warren came in and got the save for the Cougars. A devastating fifth loss in a row for the Canaries. An uplifting win for the Cougars who have now reeled off four wins in a row. 

10th Inning Stretch Power Rankings

1. Lake Country DockHounds 29

2. Milwaukee Milkmen 29

3. Cleburne Railroaders 27

4. Kansas City Monarchs 27

5. Kane County Cougars 26

6. Lincoln Saltdogs 24

7. Sioux City Explorers 24

8. Winnipeg Goldeyes 24

9. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 24

10. Sioux Falls Canaries 23

11. Gary SouthShore RailCats 22

12. Chicago Dogs 16
































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