By Michael Barthelemy

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – It was a quick and not so easy win for the Chicago Dogs, who defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes, 3-2.

It was the prettiest start, but starter Jordan Kipper put together another strong start. The righty tossed six innings, allowed two runs off eight hits and struck out three. How Kipper made his money tonight was through the ground ball. He recorded 15 of his 18 outs via the grounder, including three double plays. Keeping the ball in the infield was the method to containing a Winnipeg offense that averaged over 10 runs in their series against the Dogs a week ago.

A solo shot from Connor Kopach and a cheeky double steal helped seal the deal for Chicago. With the game tied at two with runners on the corners in the fifth inning, manager Butch Hobson deployed a double shift. It was a risky maneuver with two outs, but Stevie Wilkerson made it in time to second base. While Winnipeg catcher Hidekel Gonzalez threw over to try and tag him out, first baseman K.C. Hobson acted on a delayed steal to make it home easily and steal the lead.

The Dogs opened the game looking dangerous with the bases loaded and one out in the first. Michael Crouse and Ryan Lidge each tallied a single and Hobson drew a walk. In the face of early trouble, Winnipeg starter Landen Bourassa struck Wilkerson out with a high fastball and got the third out from a Grant Kay line out.

Winnipeg broke open the scoring in the bottom of the second, with three straight singles into the outfield. Reggie Pruitt Jr. drove in David Washington to make it 1-0.

Wilkerson got revenge for his first inning strikeout when he scored Crouse in the top of the third with a single to left field. It tied the game at one and marked Wilkerson’s 25th RBI of the season. In the past six games, the former Oriole has collected five RBI.

Chicago took the lead the next inning from the Kopach home run to left field. It was the shortstop’s first home run since July 2, but Kopach has turned it up as of late with an extra-base hit in each of his last three games.

Yet, neither side was able to hang on to a lead. Winnipeg first baseman David Washington slammed his third home run against the Dogs two pitches into the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at two. Washington hit a home run in each of his last four games and has been a menace for Dogs pitching the past week.

The Dogs were finally able to get a lead to stick with the elusive double steal in the fifth. Kipper settled in for his final two innings and got a double play to end his night in the sixth. The dominant Ryan Clark delivered two perfect innings and Brian Schlitter avoided the developing Winnipeg rally to pick up the save and the Dogs fourth straight win.

With the victory, Chicago moves to 2-2 against the Goldeyes and 8-2 when Kipper is on the mound this year. The ball will turn to lefty Shane Barringer, who has had his fair share of struggles this season and holds a 6.13 ERA in 13 starts.