Winnipeg 10, Lincoln 9 (Game 4 – Winnipeg wins series, 3-1) – Box
The Winnipeg Goldeyes scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to overcome a rally by the Lincoln Saltdogs and win 10-9 in game four of the best-of-five semifinals. The victory by Winnipeg advanced them to the American Association Championship Series.
Lincoln entered the ninth inning down by the score of 8-6. First baseman/PH Nathaniel Maggio hit a leadoff home run off of Goldeyes pitcher Ryan Chaffee to cut the deficit to 8-7. Then after the next two batters were retired, CF Joe Robbins walked to extend the game. Robbins moved over to second on a wild pitch and then 2B/3B Cesar Valera hit him in with a double to tie the contest at 8-8. After Winnipeg intentionally walked DH Curt Smith in the next at-bat, LF Randolph Oduber hit a grounder that was booted by SS Andrew Sohn allowing Valera to score the go-ahead run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Goldeyes 1B Shawn Pleffner started off the inning with a walk. The next batter, DH David Bergin, singled to move Pleffner over to second. Third baseman Wes Darvill moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt and C Mason Katz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Sohn drew a four pitch walk to bring in the tying run. Saltdogs pitcher Ryan Wagner fell behind 2B Casey Turgeon 3-0 before being removed and relieved by J.R. Bunda. Bunda promptly threw a ball on his first pitch and Winnipeg tallied the winning run.
Bergin went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI while Rohm had three hits in five at-bats and drove in two runs. Chaffee notched his first victory of the postseason as he allowed two earned runs on two hits in an inning of work.
For Lincoln in the losing effort, Robbins had a great game going 2-for-4 with two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI. In total, the Saltdogs launched five home runs in the contest.
The Goldeyes will now take on the Wichita Wingnuts in a rematch of last year’s championship series. Game one of the best-of-five series begins on Wednesday night in Wichita starting at 7:05 PM.
Fans can watch all American Association postseason games live and for free at www.americanassociationbaseball.tv.
