American Association Insider: Friday August 7th Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

Old School, the movie that tried to be the grownup version of Animal House, had an iconic scene where Will Ferrell's character, Frank the Tank was going streaking. One problem, nobody was joining him. Well, if Frank the Tank was streaking in the American Association he would have plenty company, some willing (Winnipeg, Kane County) and not so willing (Chicago). All the streaks were kept intact tonight as Kane County won their ninth, Winnipeg notched their 13th and the Chicago Dogs dropped their 10th in a row. 



Kane County 8 Gary SouthShore 5

I had my primary focus on this game tonight. The winning streak of Kane County on the line versus a team that gives them fits. The RailCats still have a fighter's chance of catching Cleburne. So plenty on the line. The story early was T.J. Sikemma took a no hitter into the fifth. Leading only by two runs after the Cougars were leaving men on base by the bushel load, Colin Summerhill hit a two run home run to knot the game at two. Kane County took a 5-3 lead in the eighth only to have the RailCats promptly tie it at five in their half of the inning. It set the stage for the ninth. With closer Jacob Coats in during a non save situation. Jairus Richards walked, stole two bases and scored on a strike three to Sam Dexter that got past the catcher. Cooper Weiss tripled to score Dexter and Zane Spinn singled to plate Weiss. Jake Gozzo had no trouble in the ninth to notch his league leading 16th save. Just another wild affair from these two teams. 

Winnipeg 6 Lincoln 4

Down 4-0 in the sixth with their winning streak and the game on the line, the Goldeyes enjoyed a six pack on a Friday night scoring six to take the lead for good. The big blows of the inning were a bases loaded double by Noah Marcelo to tie the game at four and a two run single by Max Murphy to give the Goldeyes the lead. Saltdogs starter Cael Chatham now has an ERA of 6.66. Please get him back into a game soon for his own health. 

Lake Country 7 Cleburne 2

Two runs in each of their last three innings at the plate got the job done for the DockHounds at Kamp Oconomowoc tonight. By looking at the boxscore, I'm assuming errors were costly in those innings for the Railroaders as the DockHounds had only seven hits for the night, and only two runs batted in were collected by the DockHounds lineup. Aaron Mishoulan was the victim of the defense although one of the errors was his. Mishoulan went seven innings, allowing five runs, but only two were earned. The DockHounds got a good start out of Trey Riley who allowed a run in six innings of work. 

NDSU Bison 17 Kansas 7

Weren't we just talking the other day about the low scoring game at Legends Field? Well, not tonight. Matt Kroon and Dillon Thomas both homered and drove in four runs each to lead the RedHawks. Juan Fernandez, hitting in the seventh spot had a five hit game. Digest that, a batter like Fernandez hitting .321 is hitting seventh. That goes to show how dangerous the lineup the RedHawks are trotting out now. Edwin Diaz homered twice as part of a five home run night for the Monarchs that did NOT include a home run for Luken Baker. 

Sioux City 11 Chicago 5

The Dogs are trying everything to break their losing streak including putting their closer in the rotation. But it didn't work as the Dogs pitching allowed 14 hits (they actually outhit Sioux City by a hit) as the Explorers took home the win. Yorman Rodriguez and Alberto Osuna both homered for the Explorers. Wilfredo Gimenez had three hits and drove in three for the X's. Chance Cisno and Jonathan Soto both had three hits for the Dogs. 

Milwaukee 15 Sioux Falls 

Yet another night for the hitters or as we call it in the American Association, 2026. In a game that tickled the four hour mark, testing the patience of fans waiting for post game fireworks, it was the offenses providing them during it. Delvin Perez and Jeremy Rivas both homered and drove in four runs for the Milkmen, with Yordys Valdez driving in four runs from the lead off spot. Griffin Doersching hit his 19th home run in the ninth inning. Can Doersching push Joshua Mears and Jose Sermo for the league lead? Sounds daunting but the defending hitter of the week has been on a roll. Scott Combs homered and drove in a pair, Michael Curialle had a solo home run, and Joe Vos along with Anthony Hall had two runs driven in to pace the Canaries. 















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