.jpg)
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (48-40) eked out a 9-8 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Newman Outdoor Field Tuesday evening in the opener of a crucial three-game series between the clubs.
Box Score
The loss dropped the Goldeyes (48-39) into second place in the West Division standings, one percentage point behind idle Sioux Falls. Fargo-Moorhead is now just a half-game out of the lead, in third place.
With the potential tying run at second in the top of the ninth inning, first baseman Jake McMurray grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the ballgame. Moments earlier, Winnipeg had pulled to within one after third baseman Dayson Croes won a ten-pitch battle with RedHawks’ closer Alex DuBord (S, 15), bouncing an infield single that scored left fielder Miles Simington.
The Goldeyes trailed 8-4 after five innings but crossed the plate three times in the top of the sixth to reduce the deficit to one.
Both teams were forced to go to the bullpen early, with Fargo-Moorhead starter Colten Davis exiting in the third inning, and Winnipeg’s Zac Reininger (L, 8-5) not making it out of the fifth.
The teams combined for 30 hits, with every starter in the Goldeyes’ lineup recording at least one.
Reininger allowed eight runs – all earned – on 12 hits. Cade Torgerson (W, 1-2), the first of five RedHawks relievers, earned his first professional win. He worked an inning and a third, giving up one hit.
The series continues Wednesday at 7:02 p.m. CDT with right-hander Joey Matulovich (10-3, 2.29 ERA) heading to the mound for Winnipeg. Fargo-Moorhead has yet to announce their starter.
The Goldeyes return home to Blue Cross Park for their final regular season homestand on Monday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m., when they will begin a three-game set against the Gary SouthShore RailCats.
For information about Individual Game Tickets, Skysuites, and Group Packages, please visit the team’s official website Goldeyes.com.