Gary SouthShore 3, Lincoln 2- Box
The RailCats, needing a victory to keep their postseason hopes alive, walked off on the Saltdogs for the second day in a row and took a 3-2 win. With the victory, combined with the Fargo-Moorhead loss to Winnipeg, Gary SouthShore clinches the American Association Wild Card. DH Frank Martinez hit a game-tying RBI double in the seventh inning to knot the score at 2-2, setting the RailCats up for their ninth-inning heroics. Martinez hit a one-out triple, and after a strikeout, C Wilfredo Gimenez blooped a single into left to drive Martinez in and win the game.
Martinez was 4-for-5 in the game, falling a home run shy of the cycle. Two of his four hits were doubles.
RHP Daniel Minor struck out four in 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, earning the win.
Lincoln 2B Cesar Valera was 2-for-4 with a triple in the loss.
Winnipeg 8, Fargo-Moorhead 3- Box
The Goldeyes scored seven of their eight runs from the sixth inning on, and took an 8-3 win over the RedHawks, spoiling Fargo-Moorhead’s postseason chances. C Mason Katz was the hero of the day for Winnipeg, blasting three home runs. He hit a solo shot in the second, and another in the seventh. Katz stepped up in the eighth, and connected on his third solo long ball of the afternoon. The three homers were part of a four-hit day for Katz. 2B Casey Turgeon added three hits for Winnipeg, including a double.
SS Andrew Sohn and CF Reggie Abercrombie had two hits apiece as well for the Goldeyes. RHP Charle Rosario struck out six over seven innings, earning the win. He limited the hungry RedHawks to two runs on four hits.
Fargo-Moorhead DH Chris Grayson and C Charlie Valerio each homered in their team’s season-ending game.
Kansas City 9, St. Paul 8- Box
The T-Bones clawed out of a 6-0 hole, only to see their lead slip away in the ninth and a second rally become necessary to lead to a 9-8 walk-off win over the Saints. 1B Kevin Keyes drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. SS Niko Vasquez doubled Keyes home to tie the game, and RF Chantz Mack hit another double to plate Vasquez and give the T-Bones the walk off win. Unfortunately for Kansas City, Gary SouthShore’s win eliminated the T-Bones from playoff contention.
Mack and CF Cedric Hunter had three hits apiece for Kansas City. RHP Cody Winiarski, who was named the American Association Relief Pitcher of the Year, picked up the win in relief.
2B Mitch Delfino went 3-for-5 with three RBI for St. Paul in the loss.
Sioux City 4, Sioux Falls 2- Box
The Explorers won their season finale over their Siouxland rival Canaries 4-2. With the game tied 2-2 going to the bottom of the eighth, Explorers C Dylan Kelly doubled and scored on an error. 3B Eudor Garcia, who reached on the miscue, scored an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by 2B Joel Davis.
Seven different Explorers had one hit apiece in the win. RHP Chris Powell struck out a batter in a scoreless eighth to earn the win, while RHP PJ Franceson worked a scoreless ninth for the save.
Sioux Falls 1B Chris Jacobs had two hits, including a home run, in the loss. He drove in both of the Canaries’ runs.
Wichita 4, Salina 1- Box
The Wingnuts plated three runs in the third and rolled past the Stockade in the regular season finale 4-1. CF Jacob Morris opened the scoring for Wichita with a two-RBI triple, and scored himself on a sacrifice fly by 2B Christian Stringer. C Brennen Salgado connected on an RBI single in the sixth for Wichita’s final run. Morris had two of Wichita’s six hits in the win.
RHP Tyler Kane struck out three in five strong innings for the Wingnuts, picking up the win. RHP Ryan Kussmaul worked a clean ninth for the save.
Salina CF Javion Randle was 2-for-3 in the club’s season finale.
Texas 8, Cleburne 7 (11 innings)- Box
RF Casio Grider provided a thrilling end to the season finale for the AirHogs and Railroaders on Monday, stealing home to give Texas an 8-7 win in 11 innings. He doubled with one out in the last of the 11th, and moved to third base on a flyout. With 1B Jake Taylor at the plate, Grider swiped home to end the game.
SS Beamer Weems had three hits for the AirHogs in the win. DH Levi Scott doubled and tripled in a two-hit game, as did 3B Ryne Willard.
RHP Jesse Pratt earned the win in relief, following an eight-strikeout performance from RHP TJ Bozeman, who worked eight innings.
RF Blake Grant-Parks was 3-for-5 for Cleburne in the losing effort.
Fans can watch all American Association postseason games live and for free at www.americanassociationbaseball.tv.
