American Association Insider: Thursday August 6th Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

Thursday night had a little of everything in the American Association. You like winning streaks being extended? Got ya covered. Fan of throwback nights? Yep, had two. Like runs scored? Much like the entire season, we had those too. Let's get to the takeaways.

Milwaukee 6 Gary SouthShore 4

In the only matinee game today, the Milkmen take the three game series winning the last two games. This was a prime opportunity for the the RailCats to make a move on Cleburne, but it wasn't meant to be. Hey SABR geeks, get me an answer on this one. When is the last time a team had back to back solo home runs in the first inning of a game, two games in a row and did NOT win either game? Happened to the RailCats. Marc Flores and Nick Podkul went deep in the first for the RailCats. Griffin Doersching matched them with a two run home run in the bottom of the frame, the first of two on the day for Doersching who now has 18 for the season. The RailCats put a scare into the Milkmen scoring two in the ninth but could not get closer. Jhordany Mezquita is now 8-0 after allowing just the two solo home runs in six innings. 

Lincoln 2 Kansas City 0

Folks, do not wager on baseball, it's a fool's game. How many people would've bet on Lincoln winning a series at Legends Field by shutting out the Monarchs? Cam Dayton and three relievers combined to allow only five hits. The Saltdogs scored a pair in the first and that would be the only scoring for the night. 

Lake Country 15 Sioux City 11

The Explorers spotted the DockHounds 11 runs in the first two innings in digging a ten rule hole. Down 12-2, the X's got back in the game with a seven run fourth inning, they got within two runs after six innings but could not get closer. Joshua Mears connected for his 26th home run and Peter Zimmerman remains on a home run tear collecting his 17th and 18th. Dylan LaRue hit a grand slam for the DockHounds in the second inning, his first of the season. Alberto Osuna, Braulio Vasquez and Henry George all connected for home runs for the Explorers. Tough night for Explorers starter Jarod Wright, giving up 12 runs, only seven earned in five innings. Give him credit as he settled down after the second inning to help ease the need for innings out of the bullpen. 

Fargo-Moorhead 14 Sioux Falls 8

You had to know the vaunted RedHawks offense was going to break out at some point and that's what happened tonight in Sioux Falls. Four different RedHawks homered including Jose Sermo who is trying to keep pace with Joshua Mears, hitting his 25th. Tripp Clark led the RedHawks with four hits but surprisingly did not have an RBI. Joe Vos homered and three different Canaries had two RBI's apiece. The RedHawks bullpen held Sioux Falls to two runs over the last 4.2 innings. But the real winners of the night were the Canaries organization and fans who helped raise over $18,000 to help Ryan Richardson with medical bills from his fight against Cancer. 

Kane County 5 Cleburne 4

Cooper Weiss doubled in a run in the sixth inning to break a 4-4 deadlock and the Cougars vaunted bullpen took it from there, winning the game and sweeping the Railroaders in winning their eighth game in a row. The Cougars, the second hottest team in the league, won on throwback night. I enjoyed seeing the old style Kane County jerseys on the field tonight. I can remember being a Kane County fan from a distance after Kevin Millar began his rise to the Major Leagues starring in 1994 with the Cougars. Todd Lott remained hot, hitting a three run home run in the first inning and going 2-4 at the plate to raise his average to .256. Three relievers held the Railroaders to two hits in the last 3.1 innings. Zach Veen, Casey Crosby and Logan Nissen got the job done allowing Art Warren and Jake Gozzo to have a night off after being used two nights in a row. That is some bullpen depth!!



Winnipeg 7 Chicago 5

The Goldeyes rallied for three runs, including a Ramon Bramasco two run home run, in the seventh inning to rally from a one run deficit to take the lead for good. With the victory, the Goldeyes have now won a franchise record twelve games in a row. That's saying something considering some of the great teams that the Goldeyes have had. Ironically the record was set on throwback night where the Goldeyes wore their uniforms from 1994. Jaxx Groshans homered and Nick Roselli had three hits for the Dogs who have now dropped nine games in a row. They'll look to get back into the win column this weekend in Sioux City. The Explorers have not swept a series this season, so something will have to give. 










 

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