WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th , 2021

- Martin Sets Goldeyes RBI Record in Comeback Win— Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 8/13/21 - Goldeyes Grab Opener— (Joe Brand), 8/13/21 - Goldeyes Add Pair of Right-Handers—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 8/10/21 - Martin Having Mighty Year—Winnipeg Free Press (Mike Sawatzky), 8/7/21 - Goldeyes Sign Right-Hander Ryan—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 8/6/21 - Goldeyes Acquire Former Major Leaguer Hart—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 8/5/21

MARTIN SETS GOLDEYES RBI RECORD IN COMEBACK WIN STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 th GENEVA, IL – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (39-37) beat the Kane County Cougars 8-6 at Northwestern Medicine Field on Friday night.

Tied at 6-6 in the top of the seventh inning, Kyle Martin singled through the right side leading off and took third when Raul Navarro grounded a single to right. Two batters later, Logan Hill ripped a line drive single to left that plated Martin with the go-ahead run.

The Goldeyes picked up an unearned run in the top of the eighth after there were two outs and no one on base. Max Murphy walked and advanced to third when Martin blooped a single to shallow left. An ensuing error by Mitch Reeves allowed Murphy to score the Goldeyes’ eighth run.

The Goldeyes received four shutout innings from the bullpen. Joseph Camacho (2-0) picked up the win with a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Camacho escaped a first and third situation with one out to keep the game tied when Kacy Clemens grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Zac Ryan struck out four over two perfect innings in the seventh and eighth, while Donnie Hart struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his third since joining the Goldeyes last week.

Christian DeLeon (6-3) took the loss in relief for the Cougars (37-41).

Kane County took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out, RBI single from Reeves. Jeffrey Baez hit a two-out, RBI double to centre in the bottom of the second that made it 2-0 Cougars.

The Goldeyes sliced into the deficit when Martin led off the top of the fourth with a home run to right. Including the two RBI Martin collected in the August 12 th suspended game at Chicago, Martin now has 91 RBI on the season which sets a new Goldeyes’ single-season record. Juan Diaz held the previous mark with 90 RBI in 2009.

Deon Stafford doubled down the left field line leading off the top of the fifth. After Tyler Hill walked, Wes Darvill sacrificed the runners to second and third. The Goldeyes then took a 3-2 lead when Murphy singled sharply up the middle.

Kane County answered back in the bottom of the fifth on a three-run home run from Baez.

The Goldeyes took their second lead of the night with three runs in the sixth. Logan Hill drew a one-out walk and took second on a Dakota Conners infield single. Stafford ripped a single to left that scored Logan Hill. After Tyler Hill grounded into a fielder’s choice, Conners scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch moved Tyler Hill to third, and the Goldeyes went in front 6-5 on a Darvill infield single. Darvill has now hit safely in 12 consecutive games.

The Cougars evened the score in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double from Josh Rolette.

Eduard Reyes started for the Goldeyes and took a no-decision, allowing five earned runs on six hits in five-plus innings. Reyes walked six and struck out two.

Josh Tols started for Kane County and also took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on six hits in five innings. Tols walked three and struck out two.

Game two of the three-game series is Saturday evening at 6:35 p.m. Landen Bourassa (2-0, 1.80) faces right-hander Jack Fox (2-4, 4.81). All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca

The Goldeyes return home on Tuesday, August 17 th when they host the Gary SouthShore RailCats at .

Advanced tickets for all Goldeyes home games are on sale now by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, ticket options, and the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com

GOLDEYES GRAB OPENER JOE BRAND – KANE COUNTY COUGARS – FRIDAY, AUGUST 13th GENEVA, Ill. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (39-37) grabbed the final lead change of the night to take series opener from the Kane County Cougars (37-41) Friday night from Northwestern Medicine Field by a score of 8-6.

After Mitch reeves and Jeffrey Baez batted in runs for a 2-0 lead, Winnipeg first got on the board thanks to a Kyle Martin homer in the 4 th . Winnipeg jumped in front on Max Murphy’s two-run single in the 5 th .

Baez put the Cougars back on top with a three-run homer for his team leading 14 th blast of the year. That lead was short lived as the Goldeyes put up another three-spot of their own. Winnipeg wouldn’t look back after that.

Josh Rolette’s RBI single in the 6 th was the last run the Cougars would see.

Winnipeg’s Joseph Camacho (2-0) earned the win as Christian DeLeon (6-3) suffered the loss. Former big leaguer Donnie Hart (3) earned the save with a 1-2-3 9 th inning.

The Cougars and Goldeyes continue this series on Saturday. Winnipeg’s Landen Bourassa (2-0, 1.80) will throw against the Cougars Jack Fox (2-4, 4.81). First pitch from Northwestern Medicine Field is at 6:30. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com .

GOLDEYES ADD PAIR OF RIGHT-HANDERS STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 th WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced several transactions on Tuesday, including the acquisition of right-handed Reed Hayes and Joseph Camacho.

Hayes, signed by the Goldeyes as a free agent, made seven appearances for three different affiliates in the ’ organization earlier this season. The Johnson City, Tennessee native combined for seven in seven innings pitched for the Double-A Northeast League’s , as well as two affiliates in the Rookie Florida Complex League. Prior to this season, Hayes last pitched in 2019 where he was a combined 3-3 with four saves and a 3.22 ERA in 22 relief appearances at three levels of Baltimore’s farm system. The 26-year-old right-hander compiled 37 strikeouts against 17 walks in 36.1 frames for the High-A Carolina League’s , the Low-A South Atlantic League’s , and the Short Season-A New York-Penn League’s Aberdeen IronBirds. Hayes’ averaged 94.7 miles per hour in 2019.

“He’s got a big time fastball,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney . “Two years ago, he was touching 100 miles per hour, so there’s a lot of velo in there. We just need him to come in and be a solid one-inning guy and pound the zone for us. We were looking for some power arms and he adds a nice little mix to our staff.”

Hayes was drafted by the Orioles in the 13 th round in 2017 out of Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) where he was a two-way player for the Commodores as a junior prior to being drafted. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Hayes earned seven saves and struck out 25 batters in 20.1 innings in 2017. At the plate, Hayes hit .276 with 10 doubles, 36 RBI, and a .375 on-base percentage in 192 plate appearances. Hayes is in his fourth season of professional , and is 5-10 lifetime with 16 saves and a 5.25 ERA in 66 appearances, 63 of them in relief. Hayes has averaged 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings as a professional.

Camacho was acquired from the in exchange for a player to be named later. The El Paso, Texas native made 11 relief appearances for Cleburne, striking out seven in 12.1 innings. Camacho also made four relief appearances for the Mexican League’s Pericos de Puebla.

“He’s a low, three-quarter arm slot, and I’ve been trying to get him all year,” Forney said. “I’m glad things worked out where we could get him. He’s got some experience, and hopefully he can help give us some quality innings a few times a week.”

Camacho signed with the as a non-drafted free agent in 2016. In each of his first two professional seasons, Camacho posted ERAs of 3.03 and 2.75 before reaching the Triple-A level with the Pacific Coast League’s Nashville Sounds in 2018. The 27-year-old split the 2019 season with two Mexican League affiliates, including a stint with Puebla in which he made 31 relief appearances with a 3.81 ERA over 26.0 innings. Camacho pitched four seasons at Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama) where he was a combined 35-5 (.875) with one save and a 3.41 ERA for the Hornets from 2013-16. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound right-hander holds the Alabama State career program record for wins.

Additionally, the Goldeyes have placed right-handed Greg Harris on the Injured List, retroactive to August 7 th and released right-handed pitcher Bud Norris .

The Goldeyes open a three-game series against the with a double header on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca

The Goldeyes return home on Tuesday, August 17 th against the Gary SouthShore RailCats.

Advanced tickets for all Goldeyes home games are on sale now by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, ticket options, and the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com

MARTIN HAVING MIGHTY YEAR MIKE SAWATZKY – WINNIPEG FREE PRESS – SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 th Until this week, Kyle Martin was enjoying one of the most under-the-radar MVP calibre seasons you could imagine.

He's been out of sight and out of mind for most Winnipeg fans, but that all changed Tuesday night.

The Goldeyes first baseman announced his return to the local limelight with a 3-for-3 performance that included a mammoth home run shot and four RBI in Winnipeg's 14-5 win over the .

It was the first game for the Fish at Shaw Park since the conclusion of the 2019 season.

"When you don't get to play at home, you don't get to play in your own fans and your own stadium and that kind of does take a toll a little bit," said Martin following Winnipeg's 5-0 win over Sioux City Thursday afternoon. "Thankfully, Fargo opened up their stadium to us last year but it's just not the same as playing in Shaw Park. You could tell the difference when we came home that first game.

"There was just so much more life. The fans brought it to life and we were able to build off that."

Not that Martin has had trouble motivating himself in 2021. Entering Friday's matchup with the North Division-leading Milwaukee, Martin was tied for second in the league with Adam Walker of the Milkmen with 78 RBI, and was third among league home run hitters with 22.

With 30 regular-season games left to play, the 28-year-old Greenville, S.C., native is in good position to challenge a number of league and franchise records for offensive production.

The American Association RBI record of 103, set in 2009 by Cesar Nicolas of Grand Prairie, and the Goldeyes team mark of 90 RBI, set by Juan Diaz in 2009, is within reach. Martin could also eclipse the club home run mark of 29 set by Sean Hearn in 1998 and equalled by Diaz 11 years later.

The American Association single-season mark of 31 homers, set by Keon Barnum of the Chicago Dogs in 2019, is also a possibility.

"My end game is to help the team win and that's all I'm trying to do," said Martin. "If I break records, I'm breaking records but it's not something I'm focused on now."

With the Fish under .500 for most of the regular season so far, manager Rick Forney said Martin has been underappreciated.

"If our record was winning right now and we're in the mix, he's probably one of the top three in the league in terms of MVP voting," said Forney. "I still think he's there -- based on his run production and stuff.... (Milwaukee's) Brett Walker is probably gonna win the league MVP. He was MVP last year and he's having a remarkable season... It's (between) those two guys."

The left-handed-hitting Martin, in his third season with the Fish, believes he's a better now than he was in 2019. His offensive totals bear that out: Two seasons ago, he has 14 homers and 67 RBI in 82 games and followed that a year later with 16 home runs and 51 RBI in 60 games.

"I wouldn't say anything's really different, I'm just trying to continue building on those previous two years," said Martin. "I've been taking the little things that maybe haven't worked out in the past and then tweaking those and then trying to lock it back in...

"The first year I was here I was big pull guy and everything pull side and then last year I was able to hit the ball back side a little bit more and I think that helped me out as a hitter," said Martin. "I just took that and ran with it and then started to progress from there."

Winnipeg pitcher Jorge Gonzalez feels fortunate to have Martin as a teammate.

"He takes advantage of all the missed pitches," said Gonzalez. "I know I wouldn't want to face him. I know that if I made a mistake, I know where that ball is gonna go. He hits the ball very hard, too... He makes really good adjustments."

GOLDEYES SIGN RIGHT-HANDER RYAN STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 th WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes signed right-handed pitcher Zac Ryan on Friday.

Ryan made 23 relief appearances earlier this season for the Triple-A West’s Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels), picking up a save and striking out 39 batters in 31.0 innings pitched.

Ryan made 23 relief appearances for the Triple-A West’s Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels) earlier this season. The Merrillville, Indiana native struck out 39 batters in 31.0 innings pitched with an average fastball velocity of 94 miles per hour. Prior to this season, Ryan last pitched in 2019 where he split time with Salt Lake and the Double-A Southern League’s Mobile BayBears. Ryan was a combined 4-3 with six saves and a 3.83 ERA in 2019, collecting 70 strikeouts in just 53.1 innings.

“I’m thrilled to have him,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney . “He has a Georgia Tech education and a proven track record in the Angels’ organization. He’s hungry and wants to pitch. He wants to get out there and compete again as soon as possible, so I’m glad we were able to get something worked out.”

Ryan was drafted by the Angels in the 23 rd round in 2017 out of Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Georgia). The 27-year-old right-hander compiled a 4.65 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 166.1 innings over four seasons with the Yellow Jackets from 2014-17. Ryan finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched in each of his four seasons in the Angels’ farm system, and joins the Goldeyes with a lifetime 4.26 ERA in 124 professional appearances.

Additionally, the Goldeyes officially signed former Major League left-handed pitcher Donnie Hart to a contract and released right-handed pitcher Kyle Thomas .

The Goldeyes’ active roster currently stands at 23 players.

The Goldeyes play game two of a three-game series against the on Saturday evening. First pitch from Shaw Park is at 6:05 p.m.

Advanced tickets for all Goldeyes home games are on sale now by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, ticket options, and the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com

GOLDEYES ACQUIRE FORMER MAJOR LEAGUER HART STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 th WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes made several transactions this week in preparation for their return home, including the acquisition of former Major League left-handed pitcher Donnie Hart .

Hart was 2-2 with two saves and a 3.48 ERA in 22 relief appearances earlier this season for the Atlantic League’s Gastonia Honey Hunters. The Bedford, Texas native struck out 26 and walked eight across 20.2 innings pitched. Hart pitched four seasons in the Major Leagues from 2016-19 for the Baltimore Orioles, , and . The 30-year-old left-hander is 2-0 with a 3.13 ERA in 98 Major League relief appearances totaling 89.0 innings. As a Major League rookie in 2016, Hart posted a 0.49 ERA in 18.1 innings for the Orioles before making a scoreless appearance in the American League Wild Card Game against the . The following season, Hart made 51 appearances for Baltimore and finished with a 3.71 ERA.

Hart was drafted by the Orioles in the 27 th round in 2013 out of Texas State University (San Marcos, Texas). The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Hart is in his eighth season of , and is 25-13 lifetime with 37 saves and a 2.89 ERA in 345 career appearances, 342 of them in relief.

Hart was acquired from Gastonia in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jose Jose . Jose was 2-1 with 11 saves and a 1.21 ERA for the Goldeyes this season in 27 relief appearances.

“We were forced to make some change because of the border requirements,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney . “We weren’t exempt from any of that, and unfortunately, we’ve had to make some changes to our roster. It’s not an easy thing to do. I love and admire Jose Jose, and he could pitch for me until he decides to retire. He’s a good player, a good teammate, and my heart’s broken not having him, but that’s unfortunately the way it has to be for now.”

The Goldeyes also signed catcher Deon Stafford , who appeared in 20 games in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization earlier this season. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native hit a combined .245 with four home runs and eight RBI for the Double-A Northeast League’s Altoona Curve and the Rookie Florida Complex League’s Pirates Gold team.

“We had an opportunity to get someone with some experience, and someone who maybe we’ll continue to have in the future,” said Forney. “I’m anxious to see him. He does really well catching guys, and he can swing the bat if you can get him some consistent at bats. He’s a really good guy and I’m looking forward to watching him play.”

The 25-year-old Stafford was drafted by the Pirates in the fifth round in 2017 out of St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). A right-handed batter and fielder, Stafford hit .251 with a .407 slugging percentage across 238 games during his four seasons in the Pirates’ farm system. Stafford was twice voted an all-star in the affiliated minors, garnering honours in 2017 with the Short Season-A New York-Penn League’s West Virginia Black Bears and in 2018 with the Low-A South Atlantic League’s West Virginia Power. The 5-foot-11, 211-pound backstop has thrown out 23 percent of opposing base stealers during his career, while committing just 17 passed balls in 198 games behind the plate. Stafford appeared in Major League spring training games for the Pirates in both 2019 and 2020.

Additionally, the Goldeyes traded outfielder Jay Gonzalez to the Atlantic League’s High Point Rockers in exchange for a player to be named later, placed right-handed pitcher Joey Gonzalez on the Reserve List, and released catcher Sonny Ulliana .

The Winnipeg Goldeyes open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Milkmen at Shaw Park on Friday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Advanced tickets are on sale now by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, ticket options, and the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com