American Association Insider: Wednesday August 19th Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

As someone who has not had a dog in the fight called the American Association, I have to admit I'm thoroughly entertained by the races and the jockeying for position going on in the league right now. It's like a horse race going around the final turn and there's five or six horses in the race yet. The only horse left behind being Chicago Hope who stumbled out of the starting gate and was left behind. 



Gary SouthShore 8 Chicago 1

It wasn't a bludgeoning for the record books like we saw last night, but it was a no doubter once again as the RailCats dispatched the Dogs with ease once again. Korry Howell homered twice and drove in four while Kevin Watson Jr. collected another four hits as he makes a run for hitter of the week. Marc Flores homered for the third time in two games and collected three hits. Peyton Long went seven innings allowing one run to pick up his first win in over a month (June 29th vs. Kane County).

Kansas City 12 Lincoln 8

Down 4-0, the Saltdogs scored seven in the fourth inning, but it was all Monarchs from there as they outscore the Saltdogs 8-1 the rest of the way. Luken Baker was once again the catalyst for the Monarchs homering and driving in five runs. Playing the proration game again with Baker, if he were to play a full season, he'd be on a pace for 41 home runs and 122 RBI. That'd be an MVP like season for a MLB player playing 162 games. Hudson Head also went deep for the Monarchs. Tanner O' Tremba homered and drove in three runs for the Saltdogs. Cael Chatham gave up eight runs in 4.1 innings but shed the burden of carrying a 6.66 ERA. 

Sioux Falls 8 Winnipeg 5

The Canaries got a badly needed quality start out of Nicholai Arbach who went six innings allowing three runs, two earned. Arbach got support from his offense at Mike Hart had three hits including a home run and three runs batted in. Trevor Achenbach and Scott Combs also homered for the Canaries. Charlie Hasty pitched a scoreless ninth inning for career save 71 which passes Kris Regas for 2nd place in American Associaiton history. Though I'd be willing to bet Regas is pitching amateur ball somewhere in South Dakota and would be one call away from reclaiming his record if needed. 

Lake Country 13 Cleburne 8

The teams completed their game from Tuesday night with Merik Carter throwing out the tying run at home plate to end the game for the Railroaders. It was looking like a potential sweep of the day with the Railroaders up 8-6 in the eighth inning. But no lead is safe at Kamp Oconomowoc as the DockHounds stormed back with a seven run eighth to take the nightcap. 13 runs and 17 hits for the Hounds, yet only one home run, a two run shot by Anthony Garcia in the third inning. Garcia and Jake Snider both drove in three runs. If you play the proration game with Garcia, it's not quite Luken Baker like, but stunning nonetheless as Garcia would be on pace for 35 home runs and 121 RBI.  

Fargo-Moorhead 2 Sioux City 1

The RedHawks had just a little bit more offense as they take down the Explorers in a nip and tuck battle. The RedHawks took a 2-0 lead in the sixth and Kyle Crigger made it stick. It was an interesting approach for Fargo-Moorhead as reliever Parker Harm threw three shutout innings before usual starting pitcher Crigger came in to throw the last six innings. Peniel Otano got through five innings for Sioux City allowing one run but picked up the hard luck loss. 

Kane County 3 Milwaukee 2

The 11th time was the charm as the Milkmen finally fell to defeat to the Cougars. Todd Lott had a two run home run to give the Cougars the lead in the sixth, right at the same time I had pulled up the Cougars home run song on my phone. The Milkmen tied the game on a wild pitch in the seventh. In the eighth, Lott scored on a Nick Delasandro's third hit of the night, forcing the ball out of Carlos Linarez's glove with his slide. Jake Gozzo notched the save in the ninth. Lost in it all was a great start by Vin Timpanelli who allowed one run in 6.2 innings in his best start of the season. 


















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