American Association Insider: Thursday June 18 Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

Gary SouthShore and Chicago split a pair of 2-1 games

I can remember as a teenager, 1:20 was a very important time of day except on Fridays when it was 3:20, that were the Summer game times when the Chicago Cubs played before there were lights at Wrigley Field. Two Chicagoland teams played a doubleheader with similar starting times, and maybe that is the secret of getting some good pitching as the teams scored a combined six runs in the doubleheader. Peyton Long won his fifth start in a row for the RailCats going the distance. Steven Lacey was the hard luck loser going all six for the Dogs. It took eight innings to get a winner as the Dogs plated the automatic runner and the RailCats failed to do so. Regi Grace Jr. gave the Dogs six innings of one run ball getting a no decision. Austin Eaton threw the last two innings to get the win. Eaton is emerging as a late inning option for the Dogs as he has not allowed a run in seven innings, allowing two hits, getting a win and a save. Will he be the next Dogs pitcher to be signed by an MLB team?

Milwaukee 6 Kane County 2 (Game 1)

If there is anywhere that the healing power of a six pack can be appreciated, it's Milwaukee. It looked like the Cougars were cruising along before the Milkmen scored six runs in the fourth inning to take the lead for good. Michael Hallquist keeps on raking with a 3-3 day at the plate. Hallquist in the first two games versus the Cougars is 5-7 at the plate. Jhordany Mezquita went all seven for the Milkmen picking up his second consecutive win. Todd Lott homered for the Cougars, his second of the season

Milwaukee 7 Kane County 3 (Game 2)

The Milkmen pounced for three runs in the first and second innings and cruised to a doubleheader and series sweep against the Cougars, in the process winning their ninth consecutive game. Michael Hallquist hit a two run home run in the second inning, but was walked in all his other plate appearances. Andy Blake drove in three runs. All of it in support of Juan Diaz who went all seven innings for the Milkmen. You worry about how much you're going to have to get out of your bullpen in a doubleheader, but Mezquita and Diaz gave the bullpen the day off. In the process you have a rested pen for the weekend. As the saying goes, sometimes you can win tomorrow's game tonight. 

Fargo-Moorhead 4 Lake Country 2 (Game 1)

In their fifth meeting of the season, the RedHawks finally found an answer for the DockHounds offense. Kyle Crigger pitched six innings allowing one run on five hits, striking out five to pick up his second win in a row. Jose Sermo hit a big insurance home run, his tenth, in the sixth inning. 

Fargo-Moorhead 8 Lake Country 7

Now this was more like a 2026 American Association game. The RedHawks got off to a 6-2 lead after three innings, Lake Country came back to tie the game with four in the fifth inning. But a Jesus Lujano bloop double with the bases loaded and two outs proved to be the difference as two runs scored. The DockHounds got back within one but couldn't complete the come back. The expected suspects homered as Jose Sermo connected for his 11th while Ryan Hernandez clubbed his 14th. Don't look now, but the DockHounds are now only two games out of first place. Is there a more winning area for baseball than the greater Milwaukee area right now?

Winnipeg 8 Lincoln 1

Ryo Kohigashi was just what the Goldeyes needed as he threw eight innings allowing just one run and striking out the eighth as the Goldeyes cruised to a win to salvage a game in their three game set in Nebraska. Kevin Garcia went 3-5 with a home run and two runs batted in to support his battery mate. Things have not gone the Goldeyes way much of the season, but in the West Division this year, it's jumbled up between second and sixth place. Nothing a Goldeyes hot streak couldn't fix.

Photo courtesy of Brandon Anderson


Kansas City 7 Cleburne 2

The script was supposed to be the Railroaders putting on a show, defeating Dakota Hudson and sweeping the series to make Brad Allred's 750th game behind the Railroaders mike even more memorable. But the Monarchs said ah-ah. After spotting the Railroaders a couple of runs in the first inning, Hudson was in command the rest of the way, throwing seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits. It was the sixth win for Hudson. I don't know what is holding back MLB teams from offering at least a AAA deal to Hudson. He's not striking out a ton of batters, but the bottom line is not allowing runs to score. Maybe Hudson is looking for more than what teams are willing to offer? Whatever the reason is, Monarch fans get to enjoy Hudson even longer. Six wins already, could a league record be in jeopardy if somehow he's here for the entire season?









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