American Association Insider: Friday July 17th Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

I'm not going to lie, taking a week off was pretty darn relaxing. I do this blog because I care about the league I cover, but honestly it feels like work sometimes. It was a pretty non descript All Star Game for what little I caught as I was covering a live game that night. It is concerning and puzzling that the last time Lincoln hosted an All Star Game was in 2003 in the Northern League, 8,610 fans saw it. Meanwhile there was 3,570 on hand on Wednesday night. Maybe TV coverage factors into that, but it makes the live event seem less than special. The Home Run Derby was not carried live. I didn't know there would be an uproar as the Derby didn't draw well in Fargo last year, but hardcore fans let it be known that they were not happy. 

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andreachi


Coming out of the break, immediately we are reminded that this is a hitter's league. As I started this blog, I'm still waiting out a game in Fargo with a softball score. Let the debate commence. Is the hitting that good or the pitching that bad? I don't have an answer. 

Gary SouthShore 3-3 Milwaukee 2-0

If the RailCats are going to make a run in the second half, there was no better way to do it than sweep the Milkmen in Gary. In Game one, with the Milkmen down in the seventh, a rarity happened, a blown Jacob Coats save. Coats gave up a game tying home run to Yordys Valdez. But the RailCats answered. Two walks sandwiched around a single loaded the bases for a walkoff Colin Summerhill sacrifice fly. 

Game Two saw Frank Plesac and two relievers shut out the Milkmen. Kevin Watson Jr. had the only home run of the game, a solo blow in the sixth inning, his fifth of the season. 

Cleburne 10 Sioux City 0

It looks like the Explorers bats took an extra day off after the All Star break, only collecting four hits for the night. John Baker threw seven shutout innings striking out eight to get the win. Frankie Tostado and Delino DeShields Jr.  both collected three hits and Cody Thomas homered to lead the Railroaders. 

Kane County 11 Kansas City 7

The hot or cold Cougars bats were scorching early on as they scored 10 runs in the first four innings and held on to defeat the Monarchs at Legends Field. Alex McGarry was the only Cougar with more than one hit as he went 2-4 with three runs batted in. The Cougars combined eight hits with 10 free passes for the night. In a statistical oddity, Sam Dexter went 0-3 but collected three runs batted in for the Cougars. Trevor Boone went 3-4 with two home runs and four runs batted in to lead the Monarchs. 

Lake Country 6 Winnipeg 0

The Goldeyes bats may have been vacationing with Sioux City's as they were held to three hits in the shutout loss to the DockHounds. Marc Davis threw six shutout innings to pick up the win. Five different DockHound batters homered including Jacob Mears picking up his league leading 20th. 

Fargo-Moorhead 20 Chicago 11

Wow, if you want further proof it may be a hitter's league, all you have to do is look at this game. For the pervs in attendance at Newman Outdoor Field, they had a good chuckle as the RedHawks put up a 6 spot in the first inning followed by a 9 in the second inning. The RedHawks collected 15 hits and walked 11 times. Jesus Lujano, Jose Sermo and Jairus Richards all had four RBI nights for the RedHawks. With starter Jose Diaz only getting two outs, the Dogs went through nine pitchers for the night. C.J. Cepicky who did not start the game, had three runs batted in for the Dogs, while Ethan Wilder picked up three hits. 

Sioux Falls 7 Lincoln 5

The big story in this game was the long awaited return to the Canaries lineup of Jabari Henry. Henry made his presence known with a two run home run in the fourth, a part of a three RBI night to the All time home run King. Josh Rehwaldt also chipped in a home run and three RBI of his own. The Saltdogs nearly were able to climb out of a 7-1 fourth inning hole as the bullpen allowed no runs on three hits the rest of the way. Jake Hjelle had a three run RBI night of his own for Lincoln.

Friday Night Live Studio Audiences

Fargo-Moorhead 3,820

Gary SouthShore 3,160

Cleburne 1,356

Kansas City (not reported)

Lake Country 2,036

Sioux Falls 2,388










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