American Association Insider: Sunday July 26th Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member IBWAA)

Today was one of those days that would have had former St. Paul Saint public address announcer Eric Webster asking the crowd, "does anyone have a pair of underwear I could borrow, I think I just sweat a hole through mine". 



Give the players all over the league for battling through it. Even more so, give the umpires credit for working through it. They don't get to stand in the shade, they don't have the half inning where they can sit in the dugout before coming back out for the other half of the inning. At least two home plate umpires had to leave their games today, Kelvin Boltron and Jeff Beaman. Hopefully both got the attention they needed are back in action soon. 

Kansas City 5-1 Sioux City 2-5

The two longtime rivals split a doubleheader in steamy Sioux City. In the first game, the Monarchs scored three in the fourth. After the Explorers got on the board with a pair in the sixth, Kansas City added some insurance with two runs in the seventh. Trevor Boone drove in three runs and Jimmy Endersby two runs, one earned in 5.2 innings.

Game two was one for the Explorers rookies. Brodie Kresser in his first professional start, homered in his first at bat. Jarod Wright picked up the win allowing one run in 5.2 innings. Wright will garner consideration for Pitcher of the Week as he won two games allowing one run in 11.2 innings for the week. Zac Vooletich had two hits and drove in a run for the X's. 

Sioux Falls 6 Gary SouthShore 2

Chase Engelhard as part of a 4-4 day, singled in the fifth to break a scoreless game in the fourth. Two batters later with the bases loaded, Jabari Henry hit a grand slam and the Canaries withstood a Railcat rally in the ninth to pick up the weekend sweep at the Birdcage. Chase Gearing picked up the win throwing seven scoreless innings. That was Gearing's longest outing since May 21.

Lincoln 6 Cleburne 5

Down to their final out, the Saltdogs got a game tying single from Jairo Pomares, followed by a bloop single by Cary Arbolida that scored Pomares to give the Saltodgs the victory and a win in the weekend series. It was the third hit of the day for Arbolida. Cleburne had home runs from the top three batters in their order, Caleb McNeely, Frankie Tostado and Brantley Bell all connected. Throw out today's results. In a division where there are teams with lethal offenses, don't sit on the Railroaders. This team will be a dangerous out in the playoffs, as it is already looking like the playoff field is coming into focus. 

Lake Country 12 Chicago 10

It was looking good for the Dogs to salvage a game this weekend at Kamp Oconomowoc. They carried an 8-4 lead into the last of the eighth innings just needing six outs for the W. That is where the DockHounds defied physics. They showed that even on an 89 degree day, you can still build a snowman. An eight run soul crushing eighth inning propelled the DockHounds to victory. Joshua Mears homered earlier in the game to get within two of Jose Sermo with 22. Anthony Garcia homered once again, his seventh in 21 games. Chance Sisco homered twice and drove in five runs for the Dogs, and Jaxx Groshans along with Aaron Altherr homered for Chicago. The Dogs are now as healthy as they've been on offense. They will score runs, but the issue remains with the pitching as their staff is currently at a 6.79 ERA.

Winnipeg 4 Fargo-Moorhead 3

A ninth inning thwarted squeeze attempt was the difference as the Goldeyes held on to defeat the RedHawks. Tripp Clark and Dillon Thomas both homered for the RedHawks. With Clark back in the lineup, the RedHawks once again have a formidable top of the lineup. At this point is the pitching holding them back, much like with the Dogs as the staff has a 5.96 ERA. Alarming for a franchise that usually boasts solid starting pitching. We'll see if the acquisition of Tyler Jandron helps to turn that around. 

Milwaukee 6 Kane County 2

The Cougars jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning, but it was all Milkmen from there. Edrick Felix homered and drove in a pair to pace the Milkmen. Juan Diaz on a rare scorching day in Franklin, pitched into the eighth inning, picking up the win. The Cougars have been swept three times by the Milkmen this season. Let's assume the top four in the East remain in the order they are now. Given their success against the Cougars thus far, still three head to head games left where the Cougars could make a statement, the Milkmen will do everything they can to win the East and get the first pick of opponent, choosing Kane County. Yet, as we have seen the previous two Miles Wolff Cup playoffs, that strategy didn't work well in September. It should be a real historic Miles Wolff Cup playoffs this season. 
















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