WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS

SUNDAY, JUNE 9th, 2019

- Saturday’s Game Postponed, Double Header Sunday—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 6/8/19 - ‘Roaders Washed Away in Winnipeg—Cleburne Railroaders (Denning Gerig), 6/8/19 - Goldeyes Stage Comeback Against Railroaders—Winnipeg Sun, 6/8/19 - Goldeyes Rally Late Again—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 6/7/19 - June 7th Game Highlights (Video Link)—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Jason Young), 6/7/19 - June 7th Postgame Interviews (Video Link)—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Nigel Batchelor), 6/7/19 - Defensive Woes Cost Cleburne in Close Loss—Cleburne Railroaders (Denning Gerig), 6/7/19 - Goldeyes Have No-Quit Mentality—Winnipeg Sun, 6/9/19 - Gotta Take Cleburne Seriously—Winnipeg Sun, 6/8/19 - Forney Talks Hard Road for Fish—Winnipeg Sun, 6/7/19 - Goldeyes Add 1B Martin—Winnipeg Sun, 6/6/19 - Goldeyes Add Slugger Martin—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 6/5/19 - Goldeyes’ Lefty Sensation Letting Good Times Roll—Winnipeg Free Press (Taylor Allen), 6/5/19 - Fish Hooked on Hometown Hurler—Winnipeg Free Press (Taylor Allen), 5/30/19 - Veteran Goldeyes Coach Tom Vaeth Deserves Chance to be Manager Somewhere—Winnipeg Sun, 5/30/19

SATURDAY’S GAME POSTPONED, DOUBLE HEADER SUNDAY STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – SATURDAY, JUNE 8th WINNIPEG, MB – Saturday evening’s game between the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Cleburne Railroaders has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The teams will now play a double header Sunday (June 9th) afternoon beginning at 1:05 p.m. Both games are scheduled for seven innings.

Tickets for Saturday’s game can be exchanged for any remaining 2019 home game at Shaw Park.

Tickets purchased or already in possession for Sunday’s game grant admission for both ends of the double header.

Advance tickets are on sale now by visiting www.goldeyes.com/tickets or by visiting the box office at Shaw Park.

For information on 2019 season tickets, 10-game mini packs, and group tickets, call the Goldeyes’ office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com

‘ROADERS WASHED AWAY IN WINNIPEG DENNING GERIG – CLEBURNE RAILROADERS – SATURDAY, JUNE 8th WINNIPEG, Man. (June 8, 2019) – The Cleburne Railroaders and Winnipeg Goldeyes were rained out on Saturday night at Shaw Park.

The two teams will play games two and three of the series as part of a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, with each game consisting of seven innings. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.

Cleburne will throw right-hander Jesus Sanchez (2-2, 4.88) in game one, while Winnipeg will go with lefty Ryan Johnson (1-0, 0.71). In game two, Michael Gunn (1-0, 4.57) is opposed by right-hander Harrison Cooney (2-1, 5.00).

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.

GOLDEYES STAGE COMEBACK AGAINST RAILROADERS WINNIPEG SUN – SATURDAY, JUNE 8th The Winnipeg Goldeyes overcame a 6-2 deficit in the later innings to win 8-6 over the Cleburne Railroaders at Shaw Park on Friday.

Trailing by four runs in the seventh, Alex Perez’s single led to an error by centre fielder Zach Nehrir that allowed Dominic Ficociello to score. Kevin Garcia followed with a two-run home run that cut the Railroaders’ lead to 6-5.

After Marcus Crescentini worked a perfect top of the eighth, Reggie Abercrombie singled home the tying run in the bottom of the inning. With first and second and two outs, Garcia ripped a groundball to third that was knocked down by a diving KC Huth. Huth’s throw to first, however, sailed into foul territory and ultimately led to both Abercrombie and Perez crossing the plate.

Victor Capellan pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to earn his league-leading eighth save of 2019. It was also Capellan’s 37th save as a Goldeye, tying the franchise record established by Steve Thomas in 2003.

Cleburne jumped on the board first on a two-out, solo homer from John Nester in the second. Huth homered leading off the third, and the Railroaders made it 3-0 later in the inning on a two-out single from Kenny Meimerstorf.

A Kyle Martin RBI single and a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth made it a one-run game before Huth hit a three-run shot in the top of the sixth.

WP: Crescentini (3-0) LP: Shenefield (0-2) SV: Capellan (8) HR: WIN K. Garcia (3)…CLE Huth 2 (3), Nester (2)

THE SKINNY: The Goldeyes posted their fourth late-inning comeback in the last seven days, beating the Cleburne Railroaders 8-6 in the opener of a three-game series.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Catcher Kevin Garcia cracked a two-run home run in the seventh that pulled Winnipeg within 6-5, and his infield single in the eighth produced what proved to be the winning runs.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Cleburne’s Zach Nehrir, who posted the highest defensive wins above replacement value among American Association outfielders in 2018, robbed Dominic Ficociello of extra bases with a running catch in dead centre field in the bottom of the eighth.

UP NEXT: Game two of the three-game series is Saturday evening at 6:05 p.m. Winnipegger Ryan Johnson makes his third career start opposite Cleburne right-hander Jesus Sanchez. The game can be heard on 93.7 FM.

GOLDEYES RALLY LATE AGAIN STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – FRIDAY, JUNE 7th WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (14-7) beat the Cleburne Railroaders 8-6 at Shaw Park on Friday night.

Trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Dominic Ficociello battled Railroaders’ starter Charles Gillies for 10 pitches before reaching on a leadoff error charged to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. A wild pitch moved Ficociello to second base. Alex Perez lined a single to centre, and Ficociello came home when the ball was bobbled by Zach Nehrir. On the next pitch, Kevin Garcia ripped a two-run home run to right that pulled the Goldeyes within 6-5.

After Marcus Crescentini pitched a perfect top of the eighth, the Goldeyes rallied for three more runs in the bottom half to take their first lead of the night. Willy Garcia drew a leadoff walk. Two batters later, Garcia took second on a passed, ball, third on a wild pitch, and scored the tying run when Reggie Abercrombie chopped a single to left over a drawn in Railroaders’ infield. Ficociello was robbed on a long drive to centre when Nehrir made a sprinting catch for the second out of the inning. Abercrombie then stole second base before Perez walked on a full count. Kevin Garcia ripped a groundball to third that was stopped by a diving KC Huth. Huth’s ensuing throw to first went into foul territory and allowed Abercrombie to score the go- ahead run. Rodriguez then made a wild throw to second on the same play that allowed Perez to score the Goldeyes’ eighth run.

Victor Capellan struck out two during a scoreless top of the ninth to earn his eighth save of the year. It was Capellan’s 37th save since joining the Goldeyes in 2016, which ties him with Steve Thomas (2001-03) for the franchise’s all-time record.

Crescentini (3-0) earned the win in relief, while Hayden Shenefield (0-2) took the loss for Cleburne.

The Railroaders took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when John Nester lifted a two-out, solo home run to left-centre.

In the top of the third, Huth led off with a solo shot to left. Later in the inning, Kenny Meimerstorf hit a two-out, RBI single that scored Nehrir to make it 3- 0.

The Goldeyes cut the deficit to 3-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Josh Romanski singled to centre leading off and took third when Willy Garcia doubled down the left field line. Kyle Martin singled home Romanski, while Garcia scored on a wild pitch.

The Railroaders re-extended their lead to 6-2 in the top of the sixth on a two-out, three-run homer down the left field line from Huth.

Mitchell Lambson started for the Goldeyes and took a no-decision, allowing six earned runs on eight hits in seven innings. Lambson walked four and struck out two.

Gillies also took a no-decision, allowing five runs, four earned, on 10 hits in six-plus innings. Gillies walked none and struck out four.

The series continues Saturday evening at 6:05 p.m. Ryan Johnson (1-0, 0.71) takes on right-hander Jesus Sanchez (2-2, 4.88). Advance tickets are on sale now by visiting www.goldeyes.com/tickets or by visiting the box office at Shaw Park.

For information on 2019 season tickets, 10-game mini packs, and group tickets, call the Goldeyes’ office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com

VIDEO: JUNE 7th GAME HIGHLIGHTS JASON YOUNG – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – FRIDAY, JUNE 7th LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqHmw4rtWqg

VIDEO: JUNE 7th POSTGAME INTERVIEWS NIGEL BATCHELOR – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – FRIDAY, JUNE 7th LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr-6FuUMb90

DEFENSIVE WOES COST CLEBURNE IN CLOSE LOSS DENNING GERIG – CLEBURNE RAILROADERS – FRIDAY, JUNE 7th WINNIPEG, Man. (June 7, 2019) – The Cleburne Railroaders committed three errors over the final two innings, allowing a 6-2 lead to slip away in an 8- 6 loss to the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Friday night at Shaw Park.

The Goldeyes rally began in the bottom of the seventh, as Dominic Ficociello reached on an error by first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez to start the inning. After a wild pitch moved Ficociello to second, Alex Perez singled up the middle. Zach Nehrir bobbled the ball in center, allowing Ficociello to come into score and allowing Perez to move to second, cutting Cleburne’s lead to 6-3. Kevin Garcia followed with a two-run homer to right, slicing the lead down to just a single run.

After Cleburne (10-11) went down in order in the top of the eighth, the Goldeyes moved in front in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff walk, a passed ball, and a wild pitch put Willy Garcia at third with one out; he came in to score when Reggie Abercrombie chopped an RBI single over a drawn-in infield to tie the game 6-6. A walk to Perez set the stage for Garcia, who slapped a ground ball to the left side of the infield that K.C. Huth smothered with a dive, but threw wildly to first. The miscue allowed Abercrombie to score the go-ahead run, then Rodriguez threw the ball into left field to bring Perez to the plate.

All told, the Goldeyes (14-7) scored their six late runs on just four hits.

Cleburne jumped out to the sizeable lead thanks to the long ball, as John Nester and Huth connected for solo homers in the second and third innings. A two-out RBI single in the third from Kenny Meimerstorf made it 3-0 Railroaders, then Huth added his second home run of the day in the sixth to make it 6-1.

Charlie Gillies pitched well for Cleburne, but ultimately had to settle for a no-decision. The righty allowed five runs on ten hits over six innings of work, striking out four without issuing a walk.

Marcus Crescentini (3-0) picked up the win with a scoreless eighth inning for Winnipeg, while Victor Capellan nailed down his eighth save with a scoreless ninth. It was Capellan’s 37th career save, tying him atop the Goldeyes career leaderboard.

The Railroaders and Goldeyes continue their series on Saturday night at 6:00. Right-hander Jesus Sanchez (2-2, 4.88) starts for Cleburne, while Winnipeg will go with lefty Ryan Johnson (1-0, 0.71).

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.

GOLDEYES HAVE NO-QUIT MENTALITY WINNIPEG SUN – SUNDAY, JUNE 9th Friday night, the Goldeyes posted their fourth come-from-behind, last at-bat victory in eight games with an 8-6 win over the Cleburne Railroaders.

In 2018, the Goldeyes won five games in which they trailed after seven innings.

Before that seemingly low figure is chalked up to a rough year in the standings, it’s worth noting the 2017 American Association champion Goldeyes won exactly five games when trailing after seven as well.

Returning catcher Kevin Garcia says the no-quit mentality is shared across the entire roster.

“One though nine (in the batting order), the bench, pitchers, everyone—we’re in it to win it, so we don’t back down,” said Garcia. “We support each other, we play (innings) one through nine. This past week, we’ve been behind most of the night, but in innings seven, eight, and nine, we’ve executed and gotten back in those games.”

Garcia acknowledges talent has played a role in the Goldeyes’ strong start. The Fish were 14-7 and tied for first in the American Association North heading into Saturday. The starting lineup remains the most experienced in franchise history, with as many as eight players owning triple-A or major league experience on a given night.

However, Garcia feels this current group of players has something more at play than just their statistical track records.

“Of course, the talent’s going to show, and we have a lot of veterans,” Garcia said. “I think chemistry plays a role too, though. You could have a bad at bat, but you’re certain that the guy behind you is going to pick you up. With the pitchers, when someone gets in trouble, we know the relievers are going to get them out of the jam. It’s nice to have that security on the mound and in the box.

“We just go out there and have fun,” Garcia added. “This is probably one of the best teams I’ve been a part of, talent-wise, chemistry-wise. There’s no hostility or animosity. It’s all love. It’s like a big family.”

The Goldeyes trailed by as many as four runs in the bottom of the seventh Friday, and their comeback ultimately kicked off when Dominic Ficociello reached on an error by Cleburne first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. The at bat went into the books as an 0-for-1 for Ficociello, but the Goldeyes infielder had battled Cleburne starter Charles Gillies for 10 pitches, which forced manager Brent Clevlen to go to the bullpen before the end of the inning.

“You make them think about stuff when guys start to have quality at bats,” Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. “They have to start questioning whether their guy has enough to get to the finish line, or get them to the next guy. They have to make decisions. Good at bats are very contagious, and if you have guys working the count and grinding a little bit, then it seems to find a way to filter throughout your lineup.”

LET’S PLAY TWO The scheduled game between the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Cleburne Railroaders on Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather.

The teams are now scheduled to play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:05 p.m. Both games are set for seven innings.

GOTTA TAKE CLEBURNE SERIOUSLY WINNIPEG SUN – SATURDAY, JUNE 8th The Cleburne Railroaders visit Shaw Park this weekend, and feature one of the most experienced coaching staffs in American Association history.

Led by former Major League outfielder Brent Clevlen as their manager, Cleburne is aiming to reach the playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2017.

The Railroaders were a combined 80-119 (.402) the past two seasons, but were a respectable 10-10 heading into Friday, and just 1.0 game out of first place in the South Division.

Clevlen played parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves.

As a Big League rookie in 2006, Clevlen batted .282 in 31 games and helped the Tigers to a surprise berth in the World Series.

The Austin, Texas native played his final Major League game in 2010, and went on to become one of the best American Association players in recent memory.

The 35-year-old ranks third on the league’s career list for batting average, seventh in home runs, and ninth in RBI. In 2014, Clevlen was voted the American Association’s Most Valuable Player while helping the Wichita Wingnuts to the league championship.

Following his retirement from playing in 2017, Clevlen signed on as Wichita’s manager last year, and guided the Wingnuts to 61 victories — the most ever by an American Association team that missed the playoffs.

When the Wingnuts were effectively forced out of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to make way for a Triple-A franchise in 2020, Clevlen, along with several of his Wingnuts players, were brought to Cleburne to help build a winning culture.

Clevlen is joined by a pair of former Major Leaguers on his staff in hitting coach John Rodriguez and pitching coach Mike Jeffcoat.

“We’re a very diverse coaching staff,” said Clevlen. “We have a great group, and each of us brings something different to the table. That’s good for the coaching staff, and for the players on the field as well.”

Rodriguez hit .298 for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2005-06, and was a member of the St. Louis World Championship team that bested Clevlen’s Tigers in 2006.

Rodriguez is another former Wingnut, having starred as Wichita’s designated hitter in 2012 and 2013.

“He’s really focused on the guys trying to drive and stay through the ball, and not trying to get to pull-happy,” said Clevlen on Rodriguez. “Obviously, pulling the ball is going to happen, but he’s really focused on trying to stay short to the ball and long through it. Good results will happen when the bat stays in the zone for a long time.”

Jeffcoat totaled 500.0 innings at the Major League level over 10 seasons. Jeffcoat spent six years with the Texas Rangers where he was a teammate of the legendary Nolan Ryan.

“Mike’s actually made mechanical adjustments with quite a few of our guys that have helped,” Clevlen said. “He’s been a true help for these guys, and I know they’re learning a lot from him.”

With a pair of staff members that have reached baseball’s highest level, Clevlen has been able to focus on the bigger picture of maintaining a positive environment in the Railroaders’ clubhouse.

“My big thing is developing relationships with these players,” said Clevlen. “I think if you do that, they want to play for you, and the stuff out on the field takes care of itself. That’s been my big focal point as a manager, developing relationships not just about baseball, but off the field.”

FORNEY TALKS HARD ROAD FOR FISH WINNIPEG SUN – FRIDAY, JUNE 7th Just three weeks into the 2019 season, the Winnipeg Goldeyes have shown a knack for the dramatic.

Wednesday’s ninth-inning comeback over Sioux City, in which the Goldeyes scored three times after there were two outs and no one on base, marked the third time in the last six games Winnipeg overcame a deficit in their final turn at bat.

The Goldeyes’ best attribute may simply be winning baseball games.

The team had an American Association-best 13-6 record at the start of Thursday, despite not leading the league in any of the major categories. “That’s the most important thing,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney.

“You can’t get too heavily involved with stats, especially individual stats. At the end of the day, you just have to ask yourself, ‘are you playing winning baseball?’ I feel like we are. We pitch well enough to win, we defend well enough to win, and we seem to hit well late in ballgames to give us a chance. We just need to start putting it all together.”

Forney has led 10 winning ballclubs during his first 13 seasons as Goldeyes’ skipper, and understands it can take several weeks before a team — even one as experienced as this year’s — carves out its own identity.

“Once you get to game 25, you should have a pretty good feel of what your team is going to be like,” said Forney.

“But for us, we’ve done this after losing players to injury, losing players to (Major League) organizations, and we’ve been trying to piece it together while getting healthy at the same time.”

“It hasn’t been easy,” Forney added.

“So I don’t know even once we get to the game 25 mark, I’m not sure that I’m still going to be seeing what I need to be seeing. I think we’re going to have to give it a little more time. I like our personnel, and feel like we’ve got to let them go out there and play, and stay out of the way.”

Following Wednesday’s win, the Goldeyes improved to 10-4 in games decided by two runs or less. The Fish won 22 such games in all of 2018.

Infielder Dominic Ficociello has hit safely in three straight games since missing just over a week due to injury, and delivered Wednesday’s walk-off hit.

“We’re committed to playing for 27 outs,” Forney said.

“Dominic has been battling injuries. In spring training, he was locked in and driving in runs. He had a quad problem the last day of spring training. He tried to play through it, but it was a slow start for him. Then we came home in that cold series against Kansas City, and he hurt his wrist and had to sit out a little while.

(Wednesday’s hit) was certainly a big confidence booster for Dominic, and hopefully that’s the start of some big things for him.”

GOLDEYES ADD 1B MARTIN WINNIPEG SUN – THURSDAY, JUNE 6th The Winnipeg Goldeyes added some punch to their lineup on Wednesday.

The Goldeyes signed left-handed hitting first baseman Kyle Martin prior to their contest against the Sioux City Explorers.

Martin played in a combined 110 games at two levels of the Philadelphia Phillies organization last year. The 26-year-old slugger batted .198 with 35 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs.

In 2017, Martin tied for seventh in the double-A Eastern League with 22 homers while playing for the Reading Fightin’ Phils.

“He hits home runs, and he drives runs in,” Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. “Driving in runs in the middle of our lineup has been a bit of a troublesome area for us. It’s an opportunity to add another big, lef-handed bat for the middle of the lineup to try and give us a little more balance.

“He’s a really good defender, and a heck of a nice guy. I really enjoyed my conversations with him. I know Fargo, Gary, and Kansas City were going pretty hard (after Martin) at the same time I was. I’m glad he chose us.”

Martin enjoyed a stellar college career at the University of South Carolina. During his freshman season in 2012, Martin batted .295 in 40 games, and helped the Gamecocks reach the College World Series finals. The program was making a bid for three consecutive national championships, before ultimately losing to the University of Arizona.

As a sophomore in 2013, Martin was voted Most Outstanding Player at the Columbia, S.C., regional, and capped his collegiate run with a First-Team All- American nod as a senior in 2015.

Martin has averaged 32 doubles, 22 home runs, and 90 RBIs per 162 games played as a pro, and owns a career .175 isolated power rating (slugging percentage minus batting average).

The Goldeyes haven’t necessarily lacked power early on this season—the club ranked sixth out of 12 teams in home runs entering play Wednesday — but the Fish have been somewhat banged up since returning from their season-opening road trip.

Dominic Ficociello returned to the lineup Monday after missing just over a week due to an upper-body injury. Ficociello’s return has allowed Forney to rest regular shortstop Adrian Marin, who has also battled an upper-body injury of late. Usual third baseman Wes Darvill has filled in at shortstop each of the last two games.

The Goldeyes did not have to make a corresponding roster move. They had been playing with 22 active players since Kevin Lachance was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks last Saturday.

GOLDEYES ADD SLUGGER MARTIN STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes signed first baseman Kyle Martin in advance of Wednesday night’s game against the Sioux City Explorers.

Martin hit a combined .198 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 110 games last season at two levels of the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization. The Greenville, South Carolina native added 40 runs scored, 25 doubles, and 42 walks while playing for the Double-A Eastern League’s Reading Fightin’ Phils and the High-A Florida State League’s Clearwater Threshers. The 26-year-old tied for seventh in the Eastern League with 22 home runs while playing for Reading in 2017.

Martin is in his fifth season of professional baseball, and was drafted by the Phillies in the fourth round in 2015 out of the University of South Carolina (Columbia, South Carolina). A left-handed hitter and fielder, Martin has averaged 80 runs scored, 32 doubles, 22 home runs, 90 RBI, and 61 walks per 162 games played as a professional. Martin garnered First-Team NCAA All-American honours for the South Carolina Gamecocks following his senior season in 2015. As a sophomore in 2013, Martin was voted Most Outstanding Player at the Columbia regional of the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Martin has produced a .175 isolated power (slugging percentage minus batting average) during his first four pro seasons.

The Goldeyes’ active roster now stands at the American Association maximum of 23 players.

Martin will be in the Goldeyes’ starting lineup tonight at first base.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes play game three of a four-game series tonight against the Sioux City Explorers. First pitch from Shaw Park is at 7:05 p.m. Parker French (1-0, 4.86) takes on right-hander Eric Karch (0-3, 7.13). Advance tickets are on sale now by visiting www.goldeyes.com/tickets or by visiting the box office at Shaw Park.

For information on 2019 season tickets, 10-game mini packs, and group tickets, call the Goldeyes’ office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com

GOLDEYES’ LEFTY SENSATION LETTING GOOD TIMES ROLL TAYLOR ALLEN – WINNIPEG FREE PRESS – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th Ryan Johnson said his life hasn’t changed much since last week when he became the first Winnipegger to play for the Winnipeg Goldeyes since 2006.

The 26-year-old lefty, who’s coming off his senior season at Lubbock Christian University in Texas, impressed in his first professional start, tossing six scoreless innings to lead his hometown team to a 3-1 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats on May 29. But the feel-good story didn’t end there, as Johnson followed that performance up on Monday with another solid six-inning outing where he only gave up one run on five hits in the Goldeyes’ 7-6 win over the Sioux City Explorers.

"Our house is still the same," Johnson said after the Goldeyes defeated Sioux City 5-4 on Tuesday afternoon at Shaw Park.

"Nothing’s really changed in the household. We’re still going to bed at the same time. Nothing crazy is happening. I will say, when I think back on it, I go, ‘Wow. I’m playing professional ball right now. I’m getting paid to play baseball. That’s amazing.’ It’s an amazing feeling, I know that much. It’s fun."

Johnson’s household may remain the same, but once he walks out the front door, things must be different. The Goldeyes have been flooded with media requests since Johnson signed (Donnie Smith was the last Winnipeg native on the team), and the 6-5, 216-pound graduate of Sturgeon Heights Collegiate has also been given a new nickname by his teammates.

"I’ve been called ‘the Mayor’ a couple times, just jokingly from a couple of the guys, and it puts a huge smile on my face," Johnson said. "It’s just funny."

But how has Johnson, a rookie, been able to block out all the noise and distractions of playing professionally at home and put up such impressive numbers?

"I’m not letting the moment get too big. That’s been the biggest thing," Johnson said. "We had runners at first and second (on Monday), the guy hit a double into the gap and scored one in the second inning. I sat there and was like, ‘OK, well, onto the next one.’ The game doesn’t change at a higher level. It gets a bit faster, guys are hitting balls a bit farther, but the game doesn’t change. The plate is still 60 feet, six inches away. It’s still the same diameter. Just got to go out there and throw strikes and I’ve been fortunate enough where I’ve been getting good pitches in OK counts and getting a great result out of it."

The Goldeyes would like to keep sending Johnson out there once a week and see him continue to throw strikes, but there is concern about how much the team will be able to use the rookie moving forward. Johnson’s arm has already been through a lot this year, as he pitched more than a hundred innings during the college season that ended May 17. But Johnson is hopeful manager Rick Forney won’t have to skip any of his starts and he will be able to hold up for the remainder of the season.

"We’ll see, about 90 games later, what happens. But right now, I’m feeling good," said Johnson, who impressed in his senior season in Lubbock with a 13-2 record and a 2.54 ERA.

"I’ve been able to stick with a pretty good routine as of late and it’s worked out pretty good so far."

For now, the good times are rolling for Johnson. He’s got a perfect 2-0 record and a sparkling 0.71 ERA after his first 12 and two-third innings as a professional. Outside of helping the Goldeyes rack up the wins, Johnson said it would mean a lot to motivate young Winnipeggers to give baseball a try.

"I mean, being able to sign autographs for all the kids and maybe have a bit more of an influence here and there, just maybe it’s gonna change someone to wanting to play ball at a younger age and they can say, ‘Hey, if he can do it, so can I.’"

FISH HOOKED ON HOMETOWN HURLER TAYLOR ALLEN – WINNIPEG FREE PRESS – THURSDAY, MAY 30th Ryan Johnson looked right at home on the pitching mound at Shaw Park on Wednesday night.

But it had nothing to do with the fact the left-handed pitcher is from Winnipeg and had more than 30 friends and family members in attendance watching him make his professional baseball debut for his hometown team.

Johnson was signed by the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Wednesday morning and they wasted no time putting him to use. The 26-year-old, who recently finished his college career at Lubbock Christian University, an NCAA Division II school, became the first Winnipeg-born player to suit up for the Fish since pitcher Donnie Smith’s final season in 2006.

Johnson was given the start Wednesday night against the Gary SouthShore RailCats, and he looked nothing like a rookie facing professional hitters for the first time.

The 6-5, 216-pound Johnson, a former member of Manitoba’s provincial under-17 team, led the Goldeyes to a 3-1 victory over Gary. The Sturgeon Heights Collegiate grad lasted six and two-thirds innings, giving up zero runs on two hits with three strikeouts and three walks to earn his first win as a professional.

"I grew up here. I went to the park a whole bunch," Johnson said after the game. "Heck, my grandpa still has season tickets. To come in here and get such a warm welcome, I haven’t been back playing in Winnipeg for a couple years now. It’s been amazing to get the applause that I had and the support I had from everyone. It was awesome."

Johnson threw his first pitch a couple feet short of home plate and gave up a double to the second batter he faced. But from there, Johnson settled down and was calm, cool and collected the rest of the evening.

"I wasn’t nervous until I actually went onto the mound. And then they announced everyone and I felt a little shaky, but nothing crazy," said Johnson, who went 13-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 16 starts as a senior at Lubbock Christian.

"But I knew if I could throw strikes, I could get this job done. There was confidence in that regard. But nothing can really prepare you to come out to a home crowd and hear a nice, big applause."

Goldeyes manager Rick Forney raved about the debut of his newest pitcher.

"It doesn’t get any better than that, does it? He’s coming off of an unbelievable season in college at Lubbock Christian," Forney said.

"A great level of baseball he played there, and obviously showed his pitching ability. You really don’t know what you’re going to get in your first pro game. It’s really unsettling and it’s hard to get comfortable out there and then to try and do it in this kind of environment with your hometown folks here watching. You can tell he was having fun and he was enjoying the moment out there and wasn’t really overwhelmed. It was just really impressive to watch the kid’s pitching ability."

Forney heard about Johnson through Amos Ramon, who played third base for the Goldeyes in 2006 and again from 2011-2013. Ramon and Johnson became friends through senior ball and coaching a bit together.

"I’ve never seen the kid throw before. Amos Ramon got me that guy," Forney said. "(Ramon) reached out and asked if I was looking for a rookie lefty. And I said, ‘Heck yeah. Everybody is looking for a good rookie lefty.’ He told me who he was, I looked him up and I didn’t hesitate. We flew him in, he got in Sunday morning, threw a bullpen (session) and I was really impressed, and then he took it into the game today."

Johnson’s college season ended May 17, and he hasn’t had much time to rest. Forney said he likes what he’s seen from Johnson so far, but he knows he will likely have to manage his workload moving forward.

"It’s going to be a little different story. The kid’s thrown over a hundred innings in college — that’s a lot," Forney said.

"That throws another little wrench into the plan because you’ve got to manage that workload a little bit. I don’t know what he’s capable of. It may force me into a situation where I have to spot start somebody just to give him some extra time in between. I don’t know. I guess the big thing is we’ll see how it goes the next time out and if the ball comes out of his hand the same way. You want to make sure they’re still able to compete in this league, but you want to keep them healthy at the same time. We’ll see.

"He’s earned another opportunity, that’s for sure."

It wasn’t the best night at the plate for the Fish, but they did enough to help Johnson get the win. Veteran outfielder Reggie Abercrombie hit a solo home run in the first inning and outfielder Willy Garcia hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning.

However, the Goldeyes’ bullpen almost blew Johnson’s memorable night in the ninth inning. Reliever Marcus Crescentini had a 3-0 lead to work with, but he walked two batters and gave up a double to put Gary on the scoreboard. Crescentini was yanked for closer Victor Capellan, who was supposed to have the night off after he got the save on Tuesday. Capellan cleaned up the mess and closed out the side to pick up his fifth save of the season. The Goldeyes and Gary both finished the night with four hits.

Abercrombie also made history on the night, as the 38-year-old played in his 694th career American Association game, which set a new league record.

With the win, the Goldeyes improved to 9-3 and Gary fell to 5-6.

The three-game series wraps up at Shaw Park today with an 11 a.m. start.

VETERAN GOLDEYES COACH TOM VAETH DESERVES CHANCE TO BE MANAGER SOMEWHERE WINNIPEG SUN – THURSDAY, MAY 30th It’s time for Tom Vaeth to get his shot.

The longtime Winnipeg Goldeyes’ hitting coach is ready for his first managerial position.

Now in his 17th year with the organization, Vaeth was in serious consideration for two openings this past off-season.

The Baltimore, Md., native interviewed with the Atlantic League’s Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and the American Association’s Cleburne Railroaders.

Vaeth was all but offered the Cleburne job, and was even told to prepare to fly to Texas for an introductory press conference.

A last-minute change of mind by Cleburne’s ownership pulled the rug out from underneath Vaeth, who has helped the Goldeyes make 10 playoff appearances and win three championships since first arriving in 2003.

Independent baseball exists to help its constituents move on to the next level. As a result, there is a natural tendency to seek on-field leadership that has reached the major leagues as either a player or manager. Vaeth never played baseball professionally.

There is something to be said, however, that Doug Simunic, Rick Forney and Greg Tagert have combined to win 12 Northern League or American Association championships.

Despite a combined zero games played or coached at the major league level, that trio has accounted for nearly half of the titles won since the rebirth of independent baseball in 1993.

American Association executive director Josh Buchholz, who worked alongside Simunic for many years as general manager of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, understands that prior experience at the highest level is not a prerequisite for success in independent baseball.

“Independent baseball is a different beast,” said Buchholz. “It’s not so much where you’ve been, but the contacts you’ve made, and the ability to identify talented players that fit into your roster parameters and ballpark. You don’t need any playing experience at high levels to be able to put rosters together or to be a good manager. Those things can be learned in different ways, and to say that you need to play or manage in major league baseball to be a successful manager in this league is simply not the truth.”

In terms of active staff members in the American Association, Vaeth is the longest-tenured after Forney and St. Paul Saints’ skipper George Tsamis. The Goldeyes offence has finished in the top-five in their league in runs scored 11 times over the past 16 years with Vaeth as hitting coach.

The 46-year-old routinely makes himself available to Goldeyes’ hitters for one-on-one instruction, sometimes two or three hours before standard batting practice times.

The Goldeyes’ 11-4 victory in Game 5 of the 2016 American Association Championship Series is largely credited to a game plan Vaeth devised while poring through hours of video as the team made the 14-hour bus ride from Winnipeg to Wichita between Games 2 and 3.

“Tom is by far one of the best things to have happened in my career,” said Goldeyes’ centre fielder Reggie Abercrombie, who homered twice and had seven RBI during Game 5 in 2016. “I had the opportunity to make it to the big leagues because of talent, but I think I could have stayed in the big leagues longer with the things I’ve learned from Tom. If you want him to throw ‘BP’ at one in the morning or one in the afternoon, Tom is always there.”

“I see him managing a long time,” Abercrombie added. “It’s well overdue. You put in work to get where you want to be in life, and he’s put in more work than a lot of people. He hasn’t got the opportunity yet, but it’s about time. If he gets the opportunity, he’ll make a great manager.”

In addition to his duties as hitting coach, Vaeth has assisted Forney in player recruitment for the better part of the last decade.

The team-building process is essential for on-field success, and independent baseball insiders consider it far more important than in-game, tactical management.

“The key component is always a strong player personnel department,” said Buchholz. “Running the game tends to take care of itself, but at the end of the day, talent will typically carry you to victories. To get that talent, you have to have strong player personnel decision-making.”

All-Star third baseman Wes Darvill is just one of many prominent Goldeyes Vaeth has brought to Winnipeg. Among this year’s recruits, Vaeth helped sway Dominic Ficociello and Parker French, both of whom have reached double-A or higher in their affiliated careers.

“I have no reservations about managing innings one through nine,” said Vaeth. “I’ve had some good mentors and learned a lot. Obviously, I’ve done a lot over the years of getting more involved in player signings, building relationships with agents that a manager has to have. Building contacts with major league organizations and managers in other leagues so you can make potential trades.”

Like Abercrombie, Buchholz feels Vaeth is primed for success if finally given the chance.

“I know Tom has been an invaluable resource for Rick,” said Buchholz. “They’ve worked very well together, and built some very strong clubs. Three championships speaks volumes for what he’s able to bring to the table. Someone just needs to give him a serious opportunity. He’s proven that he can be a valuable player personnel guy. There’s no reason why he wouldn’t be successful as a manager in independent baseball.”

Vaeth was understandably disappointed after what transpired with the Railroaders, but the avid fisherman is focused on doing what he can to help the Goldeyes return to the postseason.

“It’s a little deflating looking back and knowing I’m in the same spot I was 17 years ago,” said Vaeth. “I’ve loved my time here, and I’ve loved being a part of bringing championships to Winnipeg, but I feel like it’s time to get out and do other things. Until then, it’s business as usual, and I’m going to do everything I can to help put our guys in a position to be successful on the field.”