Baseball

Baseball

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) strikes out during the fourth inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Shohei Ohtani’s bat has gone quiet, but the Dodgers keep winning for now

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Shohei Ohtani is scuffling at the plate, and so far the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is coming up mostly empty in the postseason.

After stumbling into the playoffs battling biceps and knee injuries, he was 2 for 13 (.154) with two walks, four strikeouts and one stolen base in their four-game NL Division Series win over the Atlanta Braves, to go with a .421 OPS and .154 slugging percentage.

Clearly not up to the four-time MVP's standards.

“He’s a very good self-evaluator, a very extremely high competitor and expects a lot from himself,” manager Dave Roberts said this week.

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Baseball

José Ramírez homers as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-5 to force a decisive Game 5 in ALDS

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — Facing elimination for the second consecutive day, José Ramírez and the Cleveland Guardians responded once again.

“What this team is doing is only what we know how to do,” the All-Star third baseman said.

Ramírez homered and drove in three runs, and Cleveland beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Thursday night to send their AL Division Series to a winner-take-all Game 5.

Patrick Bailey also went deep and Game 2 starter Gavin Williams came out of the bullpen to get the last three outs as the Guardians won in Chicago for the second straight day after beginning their postseason with two losses at home. Jo Adell hit a two-run single in a six-run sixth inning for the AL Central champions.

Baseball

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell catches a ball hit by San Diego Padres' Manny Machado during the eighth inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell showcasing what he can do when healthy after missing last year’s playoffs

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell showcasing what he can do when healthy after missing last year’s playoffs

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Garrett Mitchell spent his first four major league seasons fighting through injuries, including a shoulder issue that prevented him from joining the Milwaukee Brewers’ playoff run last year.

Finally healthy for a full year, Mitchell is playing a vital role in the Brewers’ push for their first World Series title.

Mitchell, 28, was the best player on the field in Milwaukee’s NL Division Series title-clinching victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. He created an indelible moment in Brewers history in the eighth inning by catching a fly ball from Manny Machado at the center-field wall before it could reach the seats and become a tying homer.

The former UCLA star from Orange, California, is eager to help the Brewers in their NL Championship Series rematch with the the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who swept Milwaukee last year. The best-of-seven series starts Sunday night in Milwaukee.

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Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes third baseman Ramón Bramasco attempts to tag out Brian Fuentes.

Blown save sees Goldeyes season slip away

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Preview

Blown save sees Goldeyes season slip away

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

THE Winnipeg Goldeyes feasted all year on home cooking.

But they came up empty when they needed it most, falling 6-5 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday night at Blue Cross Park to end their championship pursuit before it really got going.

The stunning way this must-win game turned is likely going to leave players and the nearly 5,200 fans in attendance with some lingering indigestion.

With a 5-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning, Winnipeg’s normally reliable closer, Derrick Cherry, was brought in with the idea of shutting things down, evening the best-of-three series 1-1 and forcing a winner-take-all showdown on Saturday night.

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Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Goldeyes Report

Fish will need to reel off two more wins at home

Fish will need to reel off two more wins at home

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Fish will need to reel off two more wins at home

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026

THE ace did his part on the mound, save for a couple of costly mistakes.

Unfortunately for the Winnipeg Goldeyes and starting pitcher Landen Bourassa, a normally red-hot offence picked a bad time to go ice cold.

The end result was a 5-1 loss Wednesday night in North Dakota to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, a defeat that quickly put the Fish on the brink of playoff elimination.

Winnipeg trails the best-of-three first-round series 1-0 and will now have to rattle off two straight victories to keep its season alive.

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Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026

Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Goldeyes return to post-season action Wednesday in a West Division battle against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Goldeyes open three-game playoff series in Fargo

Grace Anne Paizen 3 minute read Preview

Goldeyes open three-game playoff series in Fargo

Grace Anne Paizen 3 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 8, 2026

The Winnipeg Goldeyes return to post-season action Wednesday night since their trip to the Miles Wolff Cup Final in 2024.

First pitch in Game 1 of the West Division series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Fargo, N.D., against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Here’s a breakdown of what to know as the best-of-three series begins at Newman Outdoor Field.

By the numbers

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Tuesday, Sep. 8, 2026

Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Goldeyes outfielder Max Murphy said he’s been making an effort to be ‘more of a leader’ to the younger players on the team.

Murphy embracing leadership role with Goldeyes

Grace Penner 5 minute read Preview

Murphy embracing leadership role with Goldeyes

Grace Penner 5 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

A tenure with the Winnipeg Goldeyes was an offer Max Murphy couldn’t refuse.

“I think when I first started playing for the Goldeyes, I was pretty much coming right into my prime,” the 33-year-old veteran said Wednesday before first pitch at Blue Cross Park.

Asked to take a trip down memory lane, the outfielder only had good things to say about his current club, even though the Goldeyes weren’t the first American Association rodeo for the longtime Fish — playing his first three seasons with the St. Paul Saints.

The Robbinsdale, Minn., product started back in 2021 with the Goldeyes, but pinpoints his big breakout moment with the club to the 2022 season when he launched 31 home runs.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Kevin Vaupel said Monday that playing cards is one of his go-to game-day routines and helps relieve stress.

Practice — and superstition — makes perfect

Grace Penner 5 minute read Preview

Practice — and superstition — makes perfect

Grace Penner 5 minute read Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

It seems the words routine and superstition blend together for the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

While the players have a set pre- and post-game timetable — whether or not they label all game-day routines as superstitions — it’s clear they have their own internal rules that must be followed.

For pitcher James Bradwell, though he believes he doesn’t have any crazy pre-game rituals that need to be upheld, he knows what works and sticks to it.

“I will always put my right sock on before my left, right cleat on before my left,” the North Vancouver product said, having only started these routines after joining the Fish.

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Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

Goldeyes Report

Fish briefs

Grace Penner 2 minute read Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

The Sioux Falls Canaries had a taste for fish as the club beat the Winnipeg Goldeyes in this week’s series.

Despite being on the road, the Winnipeg Goldeyes (45-37) started off the series with a strong win on Tuesday night. They soloed the scoreboard into the fourth inning with a 7-0 sweep until the Canaries (43-41) snuck in two runs in the bottom. Peyton Holt, Adam Hall, Ramón Bramasco, and Noah Marcelo had four runs in the top of that inning.

Even though Sioux Falls were able to slowly make their way up to six runs, catcher/infielder Marcelo secured their lead hitting two homers driving in two runs during the game.

Pitcher Landen Bourassa held the mound the majority of the innings, striking out seven, with relief pitchers Sage Ferguson and Derrick Cherry guarding the lead to give the Fish the 9-6 win.

Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Goldeyes shortstop Keshawn Lynch had two doubles and three RBI on the night.

Fish batter Canaries to climb atop division

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Fish batter Canaries to climb atop division

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

You’ve got to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good — and the Winnipeg Goldeyes are living proof of that popular phrase these days.

A wild 12-6 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Thursday night at Blue Cross Park was just the latest in a growing list of recent examples.

The turning point came in the bottom of the seventh inning, with the game tied, two outs and runners on second and third base. Sioux Falls pitcher Will Levine was called for a balk, bringing home the go-ahead run which would turn out to be the game-winning run.

Canaries manager Mike Meyer raced out of the dugout to confront home plate umpire Pearson Tahuka, who immediately gave him the heave-ho. Meyer made sure to get his money’s worth, screaming in Tahuka’s face and slamming his hat to the ground.

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Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

Goldeyes Report

SUPPLIED Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Quinn Waterhouse shows off one of the catfish he caught after his host family, Charlie and Cindy Goodman, took him on the Red River in Lockport.

Bringing home a Fish

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Bringing home a Fish

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

There’s no place like home.

But what exactly does that mean for members of the Winnipeg Goldeyes, who typically find themselves hundreds or even thousands of miles away from family and friends between May and September, trying to keep their baseball careers alive while living on shoestring budgets?

For some, home is a modest downtown hotel room or small apartment typically shared with a teammate or two. For others, there’s a more personal touch — one that truly connects them to the community they happen to be playing in.

Welcome to the world of billets, a longstanding tradition in this market that dates back to when the Fish first took flight back in 1994. They are a unique and valuable tool for the American Association organization and its players, with a dedicated group of local baseball fans who open their doors and roll out the welcome mat year after year.

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Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Goldeyes starting pitcher Landen Bourassa is expected to start Wednesday night’s game against Sioux Falls.

Fish ‘punch back’ to crush Canaries

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Fish ‘punch back’ to crush Canaries

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026

The number sticks out like a sore thumb: 41.

That’s how many wins the Winnipeg Goldeyes recorded during the 2025 season, tying an all-time low for the storied, 32-year-old franchise.

What a difference a year can make. Let the record show the Fish have already matched that total — with 26 games left to play in the 2026 campaign.

And they are showing no signs of slowing down.

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Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026

Goldeyes Report

Goldeyes match record with 11th consecutive win

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

The Winnipeg Goldeyes needed three innings to cement a victory over the Chicago Dogs on Wednesday night.

The Fish, who ended the evening with 17 hits, drove in 10 runs in the third frame in a 14-5 beatdown over the visitors from the Windy City.

“We really capitalised this time,” said centre fielder Noah Marcelo “We faced a couple of pitchers (in the third), and I was in the locker room and I was almost up again — I was changing my pants because I ripped my pants. But we’re just rolling right now.

“This was a special game, for sure.”

Goldeyes Report

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Derrick Cherry (left) says catcher Raphael Pelletier (right) ‘keeps everyone looking good on the field.’

Home-run haircuts

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Home-run haircuts

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

Tucked inside the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ clubhouse is a no-frills washroom with a urinal, a pair of toilets and a trio of sinks beneath matching mirrors.

But when rookie catcher Raphael Pelletier drags in a well-worn black leather salon chair with cracked upholstery and lays out his clippers, trimmers and shears, the space transforms into something else: a barbershop.

While far from luxurious, it’s the type of haircutting experience that could only exist inside the wacky world of independent baseball.

“He keeps everyone looking good on the field, honestly. We needed this,” said third-year Goldeyes pitcher Derrick Cherry, while getting a trim on Wednesday ahead of the team’s game against the Chicago Dogs.

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Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Goldeyes take on a pesky and all-too-familiar alternate identity, the Manitoba Mosquitoes, for the team’s home game against the visiting Lincoln Saltdogs on Friday. Kataali Stoller (right) shows off the special edition merchandise to Cory Ruppanthal and his children, Ava and Owen.

Excited Goldeyes fans buzz over Manitoba Mosquitoes’ name change

Grace Penner 4 minute read Preview

Excited Goldeyes fans buzz over Manitoba Mosquitoes’ name change

Grace Penner 4 minute read Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

BITE club has entered the ball park for a single game, filling the stands with mosquitoes — just not in the way you may think.

The Fish are participating an alternate identity takeover, one that many other teams in the minor baseball leagues have been having some fun with. The Winnipeg Goldeyes re-branded to pay homage to the province’s beloved summer creatures, the Manitoba Mosquitoes.

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks had some fun with its alternative identity, doing a five-game name change to the Woodchippers, a fun reference to the 1996 film Fargo.

Other honourable mentions are the Chicago Dogs, who switched over to the Chicago Wieners, the Sioux Fall Canaries transformed into the Minnehaha Martians, Milwaukee Milkmen became the Franklin Benjamins, and the Lake Country Dockhounds swapped to the Wisconsin Dive Bars.

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Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Manitoba Mosquitoes starting pitcher Ryo Kohigashi was staked to an early lead against the Lincoln Saltdogs on Friday night.

Goldeyes, err, Mosquitoes on a serious roll

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Goldeyes, err, Mosquitoes on a serious roll

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

They’re pesky, stubborn and swarming opponents lately.

We’re talking about the Winnipeg Goldeyes, who fittingly re-branded as the “Manitoba Mosquitoes” for one night only as they opened a seven-game homestand on Friday at Blue Cross Park.

“And we’ve got a good buzz going, too,” veteran pitcher Tasker Strobel told the Free Press with a laugh.

Unlike the notorious insects, however, the Goldeyes don’t suck.

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Friday, Jul. 31, 2026

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