American Association Insider: Tuesday August 4th Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

Those of you that have followed the American Association throughout the history of This Week in the Association, you know that we have leaned heavily on team broadcasters to come on the show. I've relied on many throughout the years if I have had questions instead of blindly guessing. Many have become real good friends of mine and I've admired the work that the broadcasters in this league do, as evidenced by my blog eariler this Summer. If you've ever seen Iron Claw, remember the part where father Fritz was at the dinner table where he flat out told his sons who his favorite was and what the order of favorites were from there. I feel like the broadcasting fraternity is like family to me, closer to some than others, but caring for all of them to varying degrees. Matter of fact, I just met Andrew Mild of the Gary SouthShore RailCats tonight at Franklin Field. 

As part of my "working" vacation that's coming to an end with a travel day tomorrow, I took in the movie Ueck today. Done by an independent film company in Milwaukee, this documentary detailed the long and illustrious career of Bob Uecker. From the beginning, right up to his last game on the air. Part of it showcased how Uecker was away from his family so much that it eventually took a toll on his first marriage, eventually divorcing. Also how he had to make a choice between being with a son who was dying or being at Miller Park for Opening Day, trying to soldier on while making it sound to fans there was nothing the matter. These broadcasters in the Major League level make a fraction of what the players do. Granted the fans don't pay to go to the ballpark to watch them, but they are making the same time sacrifices the players are. 

The Milkmen announced that they will be having a double feature on Friday night at the Milky Way Drive In theater located beyond the left field scoreboard. Ueck followed by Major League. 



Winnipeg 4/7 Chicago 1/4

In a battle of two teams going in opposite directions, the Goldeyes swept the doubleheader, in the process extending their winning streak to ten. Meanwhile the Dogs have now dropped seven straight. Chicago had the lead in game one with a Giovanni DiGiacomo home run, but the Goldeyes scored the next four led by Roby Eriquez's two runs batted in and two hits from Ray-Patrick Didder. Luke Boyd went the distance to pick up his third win in a row, and eighth of the season. 

In game two, an Aaron Altherr two run home run got Chicago going in the first inning, just to see Winnipeg reel off the next seven runs to complete the sweep. Keyshawn Lynch went 2-2 and drove in three runs to lead the Goldeyes. 

Lincoln 12 Kansas City 9

There is an old saying that goes, play through the 27th out. That would apply to this game tonight. The Monarchs led 7-0 after two innings and 9-4 heading to the eighth before the Saltdogs exploded for eight runs in the last two innings to knock off the first place Monarchs. Nick Shumpert went 3-5 with a home run and three runs driven in and Cadyn Halvorson remains red hot driven in four runs in a 3-4 night. Luken Baker had two home runs, driving in three runs and Grant Richardson had a five RBI night including a three run home run. Five Saltdogs relievers combined to allow just one run on one hit to hold down the Monarchs. 

Sioux Falls 4 Fargo-Moorhead 3

These two teams play nine games against each other in the last month of the season. If it's like tonight, they should be some doozies. The RedHawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Canaries scored the next four runs of the game and their bullpen managed to hold the lead to snap a three game slide. Michael Curialle homered and Scott Combs had two doubles to help rally the Canaries. Thomas Dorminy pitched six innings allowing two runs to win his fifth game in six starts since returning to the rotation after injury in early July.

Lake Country 12 Sioux City 4

The DockHounds scored six runs in the fifth and stopped a three game losing streak in Sioux City. Peter Zimmerman had a three run home run and drove in four runs and Jack Blomgren had three hits to top the Hounds attack. Sebastian Rodriguez, who won 11 games for Milwaukee and won pitcher of the year, went eight innings allowing three runs in his best outing since joining Lake Country. If Rodriguez finds his form from his Milwaukee days, the DockHounds may have a new staff ace. I was informed that Ryan Hernandez was involved in a brawl in the Mexican League in which he sustained an injury that will keep him out of action the remainder of the season. A blow to the DockHounds who were hoping to have him back for the playoffs. 

Kane County 6 Cleburne 5

In the REV Entertainment game of the night, it was the Cougars coming to defeat Cleburne to win their sixth consecutive game. The Railroaders got to Konnor Ash for four runs in five innings, Ash's shortest start of the season, but he still picked up the win thanks to a three run fifth inning. Cody Thomas drove in a pair of runs for the Railroaders. Josh Allen went 1-5 for Kane County with that one hit being his 1000th professional hit, legging out an infield single. Jarius Richards drove in two runs for Kane County. The Cougars are now just 3.5 games out of first place. 

Gary SouthShore 7 Milwaukee 4

In the game I was at tonight, the RailCats went into the game on a high after sweeping a doubleheader on Sunday at home versus Lake Country. The momentum continued in a methodical attack, racking up a 7-1 lead in the top of the ninth before the Milkmen made it interesting against RailCat closer Jacob Coats, scoring three and having the tie run at the plate in the ninth. Kevin Watson Jr. led the RailCats with three hits. Frank Plesac shut down the Milkmen going six innings, allowing a single run. Alec Olund had three runs batted in for the RailCats. The Milkmen were dealt a blow as Justin Janas who was hitting over .300 announced his retirement. With the win, the RailCats are now six games behind Cleburne who have two more in Kane County and three in Lake Country to wrap up their road trip. Maybe there's an avenue for the RailCats to make the playoffs.


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