Seven-Run Fifth Lifts Goldeyes Past Explorers
Photo Credit: Tim Tushla/Sioux City Explorers
SIOUX CITY, IA – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (46-38) scored seven runs in the fifth inning and went on to defeat the Sioux City Explorers 12-7 Saturday evening at Lewis & Clark Park.
Winnipeg opened the scoring in the top of the third inning. Right fielder Max Murphy doubled to centre field and first baseman Kevin García singled to right before designated hitter Ray-Patrick Didder hit a three-run home run to left field to give the Goldeyes a 3-0 lead. It was Didder’s team-leading 19th home run of the season.
Sioux City (40-45) answered with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Second baseman Zac Vooletich singled and stole second before left fielder Henry George singled to right. Designated hitter Braulio Vásquez then singled to right to score Vooletich, and first baseman Alberto Osuna followed with a two-run double to centre that tied the game 3-3. Shortstop Jackson Van De Brake’s single to centre brought Osuna home and put the Explorers ahead 4-3.
The Goldeyes responded with seven runs in the fifth. Third baseman Ramón Bramasco walked and second baseman Adam Hall singled before centre fielder Noah Marcelo launched a three-run home run to left field to give Winnipeg a 6-4 lead. It was Marcelo’s 16th home run of the season and increased his RBI total to 82.
Shortstop Keshawn Lynch walked and catcher Raphaël Pelletier singled before left fielder Jiandido Tromp drove Lynch home with a single to right. Didder followed with an RBI single to right that scored Pelletier, and Bramasco capped the inning with a two-run single to left that brought Tromp and Didder home and stretched the lead to 10-4.
Sioux City pulled to within three in the bottom of the sixth when Van De Brake hit a three-run home run to left field, making the score 10-7.
Winnipeg added a run in the seventh when Didder was hit by a pitch and scored on Bramasco’s single to centre. Murphy then led off the eighth with a solo home run to centre field to account for the final 12-7 margin.
Left-hander Kevin Vaupel (W, 4-5) allowed seven runs, six earned, on nine hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out one.
The Goldeyes’ bullpen kept Sioux City off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Aidan Newton worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. Sage Ferguson followed with two scoreless innings, surrendering two hits and striking out three without issuing a walk.
Zach Willeman (L, 5-7) surrendered ten runs on 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings for Sioux City. He walked two and struck out six.
Didder went three-for-six with three runs scored and four runs batted in, while Bramasco was three-for-five with three RBIs. Hall added three hits, while Murphy, Pelletier, and Tromp had two apiece.
The rubber match of the three-game series is scheduled for Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at Lewis & Clark Park. Right-hander Landen Bourassa (2-3, 4.41 ERA) will start for Winnipeg, while Sioux City will counter with right-hander Jarod Wright (2-4, 7.79 ERA).
Fans can join Trevor Curl for all the action live on CJNU 93.7 FM and online at cjnu.ca, with the pregame show beginning at 3:30 p.m. The video stream will be available free of charge at AABaseball.TV.
The Goldeyes return home to Blue Cross Park Monday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. when they host the Kansas City Monarchs.
For information about Single Game Tickets, Skysuites, and Group Packages, please visit Goldeyes.com/Tickets.
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