Winnipeg Goldeyes Daily Clippings Thursday, August

WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12th , 2021

- Dogs Take Two From Goldeyes—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 8/11/21 - August 11 th Game 2 Highlights (Video Link)—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Jason Young), 8/11/21 - August 11 th Game 1 Highlights (Video Link)—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Jason Young), 8/11/21 - Friedrich Imparts Veteran Experience as Playoff Race Heats Up—Chicago Dogs (Jack Ankony), 8/11/21 - 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 - American Association Expands Playoff Structure—American Association, 8/5/21

DOGS TAKE TWO FROM GOLDEYES STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 th ROSEMONT, IL – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (38-37) lost both games of a double header to the Chicago Dogs at Impact Field on Wednesday night, 12-4 in the opener and 4-3 in 10 innings in the nightcap.

In game one, the Dogs took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-out, two-run single from Harrison Smith.

Chicago (47-30) opened a 6-0 lead with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. TJ Bennett doubled leading off, and scored on a Grant Kay single. After Harrison Smith walked, Brennan Metzger’s sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third. Kay scored on a Michael Crouse fielder’s choice, while Danny Mars singled home Smith. Crouse came home on a KC Hobson reverse-force double play ball.

Kyle Martin hit a two-run home run to right in the top of the fifth to put the Goldeyes on the board at 6-2.

The Dogs answered back in the bottom of the fifth on a three-run homer from Smith. Ryan Lidge lifted a three-run shot in the bottom of the sixth to extend the lead to 12-2.

Winnipeg scratched out two runs in the top of the seventh on a Max Murphy groundout and a Martin sacrifice fly.

Kyle Murphy (2-1) started for the Dogs in game one and picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits in five innings. Murphy walked one and struck out two.

Dylan Burns (0-2) started for the Goldeyes and took the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in three-plus innings. Burns walked none and struck out two.

In the nightcap, Martin slugged a two-out, solo home run to right in the top of the fourth to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead.

Chicago answered with three runs in the bottom half on a Lidge sacrifice fly and a two-run home run from Kay.

Trailing 3-1 in the top of the seventh, Raul Navarro crushed a solo home run to left with one out. Two batters later, and with the Goldeyes down to their final out, Logan Hill ripped a solo home run to left that tied the game.

The score remained 3-3 until the bottom of the 10 th when TJ Bennett singled home pinch-runner Cosimo Cannella with the winning run.

Cam Booser (1-1) picked up the win in relief for Chicago, while Austin Henrich (0-1) took the loss for Winnipeg.

Jorge Gonzalez started for the Goldeyes and took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs on three hits in three and one-third innings. Gonzalez walked two and struck out two.

Christian Friedrich started for the Dogs and also took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on five hits in six innings. Friedrich walked one and struck out four.

Christian James , Zac Ryan , and Donnie Hart combined for four scoreless innings of relief in game two. Wes Darvill picked up hits in both games, and has now hit safely in 10 straight.

The series concludes Thursday evening at 6:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca

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

VIDEO: AUGUST 11 th GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS JASON YOUNG – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 th LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybdmPmJzico

VIDEO: AUGUST 11 th GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS JASON YOUNG – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 th LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86J86dnbwyk

FRIEDRICH IMPARTS VETERAN EXPERIENCE AS PLAYOFF RAC HEATS UP JACK ANKONY – CHICAGO DOGS – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 th Whether he’s ending a one-two-three inning with a strikeout, escaping a jam by inducing a double play or giving up a home run, Christian Friedrich has the same feeling going into the next pitch: confidence.

His four seasons at the MLB level and 13 years as a professional allow for that. Friedrich made his Dogs debut on Aug. 6 against Sioux Falls, and through two starts, the addition of Friedrich feels like an MLB trade deadline acquisition that puts a contender over the top.

After a 12-4 win in game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader, Friedrich toed the rubber for game two against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Across six innings, Friedrich allowed five hits, one earned run, one walk and four strikeouts en route to a 4-3 Dogs win.

T.J. Bennett ended a full day of baseball with a 10th-inning walk-off single to score Cosimo Cannella. Since his return from paternity leave, Bennett is 9- for-20 with two home runs and nine RBI.

Friedrich’s stellar start made it seven consecutive wins for the Dogs, inching them closer to first place in the North division. With a Milwaukee Milkmen loss to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Wednesday night, the Dogs sit just a half game back of Milwaukee for the division lead.

Friedrich’s one mistake in his second start for the Dogs was a pitch he left elevated in the zone to Kyle Martin, who belted his league-leading 26th home run of the season. But aside from this one pitch, Friedrich commanded the zone and let his defense work behind him.

Bennett made a trio of diving plays at the hot corner to go along with a Grant Kay web gem and a number of snags from the speedy outfielders Michael Crouse and Anfernee Grier. For Friedrich, he felt the defensive support behind him with each pitch.

“It’s really nice to hear the crack off the bat and you turn around and somebody’s got their glove on it,” Friedrich said.

Mixing and matching fastballs on the inside and outside corner with timely breaking balls, Friedrich said he tries to put hitters in a rocking chair mentality, never knowing what pitch to expect. With close to 300 innings of MLB experience under his belt, Friedrich brings a veteran presence to a Dogs team in the home stretch of a playoff race.

“A lot of times a veteran guy can offer a little something that he learned along the way,” Dogs manager Butch Hobson said. “That might help these young players as they’re maturing in the game.”

Having five pitchers signed by MLB organizations throughout the year, the Dogs have experienced significant turnover in the pitching staff. With seven rookies fresh out of college on the pitching staff, Friedrich anticipated offering advice from his years of big-league experience.

But from Friedrich’s perspective, he felt as if he was talking to five-year professional veterans when meeting some of the Dogs’ rookies. Friedrich has been most impressed by their mental game.

“It’s neat to be around guys that are so young and so mature,” Friedrich said. “I wish I could have been the way they are at their age.”

As the season moves into the final 25 percent, Friedrich figures to play an integral role in the Dogs’ rotation. With a wealth of confidence and innings at the highest level, Friedrich’s addition could be the exact piece the Dogs were looking for as they anticipate an appearance in the playoffs.

“Between playing at an unbelievable stadium with an unbelievable coaching staff,” Friedrich said. “This is like big league material. The players are as good as it gets. I couldn’t be in a better spot than I’m in right now.”

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 pitchers Reed Hayes and Joseph Camacho .

Hayes, signed by the Goldeyes as a free agent, made seven appearances for three different affiliates in the Baltimore Orioles’ organization earlier this season. The Johnson City, Tennessee native combined for seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched for the Double-A Northeast League’s Bowie Baysox, 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 Frederick Keys, the Low-A South Atlantic League’s Delmarva Shorebirds, and the Short Season-A New York-Penn League’s Aberdeen IronBirds. Hayes’ fastball 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 baseball, 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 Cleburne Railroaders 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 Oakland Athletics 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 pitcher 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 Chicago Dogs 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.

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 Sioux City Explorers.

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 Milwaukee Milkmen on Saturday evening. First pitch from Shaw Park is at 6:05 p.m.

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, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. 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 Toronto Blue Jays. 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 professional baseball, 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

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION EXPANDS PLAYOFF STRUCTURE LEAGUE OFFICE – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION – THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 th MOORHEAD, MN – The Board of Directors of the American Association of Professional Baseball has approved a plan to expand the 2021 postseason schedule with a play-in game that will pit the second and third place clubs in each division against each other for the right to advance to the North and South Division Championship Series.

In the new format, the second and third place clubs in the North Division and South Division will face off on Wednesday, September 8 th in a one-game playoff. The winner of the two play-in games will advance to face the regular season champion of the respective division in a best-of-five Division Series, which will begin on Friday, September 10 th . The Division Series winners will then advance to the best-of-five American Association Championship Series, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 17 th .

“Unprecedented times have allowed the American Association to be innovative in many aspects of our league play and presentation, while increasing the number of playoff participants as we enter the final month of the season,” said American Association Commissioner Joshua Schaub . “The American Association continues to showcase our league’s ability to pivot and be nimble while maintaining a high level of competition on the field and top entertainment for our fans.”

In 2020, the American Association amended the playoff schedule as the league played as a six-team league. The top two teams at the end of the 60- game regular season advanced to the best-of-seven American Association Championship Series, which was won by the Milwaukee Milkmen in five games over the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Following their win on Thursday afternoon, the Winnipeg Goldeyes (35-35) sit in fourth place in the American Association North Division, 11.0 games behind the first place Milkmen and four losses back of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for the North Division’s second wild card spot. The Goldeyes have 30 games remaining on their 2021 schedule.

2021 American Association Postseason Schedule Wednesday, September 8 th Play-In Game (#2 seed vs. #3 seed) Thursday, September 9 th Travel Day

Friday, September 10 th American Association Division Series Game 1 Saturday, September 11 th American Association Division Series Game 2 Sunday, September 12 th Travel Day Monday, September 13 th American Association Division Series Game 3 Tuesday, September 14 th American Association Division Series Game 4 (if necessary) Wednesday, September 15 th American Association Division Series Game 5 (if necessary) Thursday, September 16 th Travel Day

Friday, September 17 th American Association Championship Series Game 1 Saturday, September 18 th American Association Championship Series Game 2 Sunday, September 19 th Travel Day Monday, September 20 th American Association Championship Series Game 3 Tuesday, September 21 st American Association Championship Series Game 4 (if necessary) Wednesday, September 22 nd American Association Championship Series Game 5 (if necessary)

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