Canaries Fall To Goldeyes in Offensive Outburst
SIOUX FALLS, SD—The Sioux Falls Canaries opened up an important three-game series against their North division rivals, the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Thursday night. Both teams had a big night offensively, but ultimately the Winnipeg offense won the night, outslugging the Birds to a 20-13 final at Sioux Falls Stadium.
Winnipeg's Casey Haerther flirted with a .400 batting average last season, but has struggled to get the bat going in 2015. The hard-hitting first-baseman entered the night with a .274 batting average, and just 15 RBI's.
Haerther's bat woke up against the Canaries pitching staff, exploding for a 5-for-6 night, adding a homerun (3) and eight RBI's to pace the Goldeyes in their highest offensive output of the season. His eight RBI's tied a Winnipeg franchise record.
Goldeyes' catcher, Luis Alen also had a record setting night, walking five times in six at-bats to tie an American Association record for walks in a game.
The Canaries had a solid offensive night at the plate, totaling 13 runs on 18 hits in the losing effort. Richard Stock had another big game for the Birds', finishing the night 3-for-6 at the plate, with four RBI's and three runs scored. Stock's three-run homerun in the bottom of the 3rd inning, was his 5th of the season, tops on the team.
Michael Wing had his best night in a Canaries uniform, going 4-for-5 with the three RBI's and three runs scored. The Birds' second-baseman hit a homerun in each of his first two at-bats, and collected a pair of doubles. Wing went back-to-back with Stock in the bottom of the 3rd inning, his second homerun of the day.
First-baseman, David Bergin finished a triple shy of the cycle, putting together a 3-for-4 night, with two RBI and three runs scored.
Canaries starting pitcher, Shawn Blackwell (1-5) suffered the loss after allowing 11 runs, six earned runs, on nine hits in three innings. The Righty walked a season high four batters, striking out one batter in the loss.
Goldeyes' started Rob Nixon also had a rough night, but did not factor in the final decision. The righty allowed nine runs on eight hits and did not record a strikeout in his two innings of work. Reliever Mark Pope (1-1) was credited with the victory after allowing two runs on four hits over 2 2/3 innings.
The loss dropped Sioux Falls to 15-19 on the season, and put them into a mathematical tie with the Goldeyes (14-18) for second place in the North Division.
The Birds' will try to snap their season worst, four-game losing on Friday night when they send LHP Joe Bircher (2-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound to battle Winnipeg's LHP Nick Hernandez (2-2, 1.98 ERA).
Friday night will be another All-Star Fireworks Friday at the Birdcage presented by the Orthopedic Institute and Sioux Falls Specialty hospital. It will also be AARP Night and Hawaiian night at the Birdcage! Fans are encouraged to wear Hawaiian themed clothes to the ballpark. Gates open at 6:00PM, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM.
Get your tickets to any Canaries home game this season by contacting the Canaries Ticket Office at (605) 336-6060 or visit www.sfcanaries.com. No matter your schedule, the Canaries have a ticket package for you. Ask a Canaries representative about the weekender, perch packs or E-Z Game Tickets.