Winnipeg Goldeyes: August 26, 2011 Highlights

Shaw Park has seen few evenings as perfect as Friday night was.

Veteran Brian Myrow was awarded the Rogers Player of the Year Award, as voted by the fans, before the game. Manager Rick Forney was recognized as the American Association's 2011 Manager of the Year. And, before a sell out crowd of 8,065 that extended into the right field berm, the Winnipeg Goldeyes clinched the North Division pennant with a 9-5 win over the archrival Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the final home game of the regular season.

Winnipeg scored early and often, building an 8-2 lead after three innings. Kody Kaiser hit a two-run homer in the first inning to start things off, while Ridge Carpenter smacked a two-run triple in the third inning to cap the scoring outburst.

Fargo put up two runs in the third, one in the fifth and two in the ninth, but, as was the case for most of the series, Winnipeg had their way with the visiting RedHawks.

Kaiser finished the game with four RBI, while Jon Weber contributed a team-best three hits.

The win gave Winnipeg a four-game sweep of Fargo in Winnipeg for the first time since July of 2004. The victory also set a new franchise record for home wins in a season with 33.

Quietly, Goldeyes starting pitcher Isaac Hess racked up nine strikeouts over six innings to get the win. Chad Benefield, Clayton Uyechi and Jamie Vermilyea combined to toss three innings of relief. The three pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts.

Fargo starter Jack Frawley took the loss.

Winnipeg will set off for Sioux Falls tomorrow morning to end the regular season with a four-game series against the Pheasants.

The Goldeyes will host the first two games of their American Association Division Series September 1 and 2 at Shaw Park against either the Gary SouthShore RailCats or the St. Paul Saints. Thursday's game will start at 7 p.m. Friday's start time is to be determined.

Tickets are on sale for the first two playoff games by visiting any Ticketmaster location, clicking on Ticketmaster.ca or by calling 1-855-GOLDEYE.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Winnipeg Goldeyes
• Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
• American Association
• Minor League Baseball
• Shaw Park
• Independent Baseball
• Winnipeg
• Manitoba
• Canada