Zac Reininger pitched a shutout as the Winnipeg Goldeyes (43-34) defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 1-0 at Haymarket Park Wednesday evening. Combined with Sioux Falls’ loss to Lake Country, the win pulled the Goldeyes to within a half-game of the West Division lead.
Box Score
For Reininger (W, 8-4), it was the first nine-inning shutout and complete game of his career. He previously blanked the Sioux City Explorers July 3 in the opening game of a doubleheader – a seven-inning contest.
The one-time Detroit Tigers reliever needed just 97 pitches to accomplish the feat, 67 of which were strikes. Reininger scattered eight hits and struck out six batters.
Lincoln (29-48) grounded into four double plays and had just one extra-base hit, a fifth inning double by catcher Max Hewitt.
The Goldeyes only recorded four hits themselves, but one of them was a leadoff home run to right-centre field in the fifth by designated hitter Max Murphy – the lone run of the game.
Saltdogs starter Zach Keenan (L, 4-8) also pitched a complete game, striking out five.
“Obviously Zac Reininger was the story tonight,” said Winnipeg manager Logan Watkins. “Defensively we played great. Offensively, we couldn’t get anything going but give Zach Keenan a lot of credit – he threw a really good game.”
The Goldeyes will look for the series sweep Thursday at 7:05 p.m. CDT. Joey Matulovich (8-3, 2.13 ERA) will start for Winnipeg, with Karan Patel (4-4, 4.87 ERA) heading to the mound for Lincoln.
The Goldeyes return home next week to face the Sioux Falls Canaries in a three-game set beginning on Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m.