AirHogs Win 6-5 Thriller in Wichita
June 29, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Texas AirHogs News Release
WICHITA, Kansas - The AirHogs notched a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Wichita Wingnuts at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Wednesday in one of the most exciting games of the season. Starter Matt Shepherd turned in 7 strong innings to fuel the first victory of the series in Wichita.
The AirHog bats were able to tag Wichita starter Alex Boshers for 4 hits and 3 runs in the top of the 1st to build an early lead. Brian Bistagne and Austin Gallagher picked up RBIs in the opening half frame.
Burt Reynolds would add an RBI single to score Hur in the top half of the 2nd, and the AirHogs had a 4-1 lead going to the 3rd.
Unfortunately, the Wingnuts got an RBI groundout from TJ Mittelstaedt and a run on a passed ball to cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the 3rd.
Cody Lenahan and Hur each doubled in the 4th to rebuild the lead to 5-3. It appeared that was all Shepherd would need. He allowed a triple to Harrison Kane in the 4th, but stranded him at 3rd and set down 11 straight from the 4th through the 7th to finish his start.
Devon Rodriguez picked up an RBI single in the 7th, and after Alan Oaks threw a scoreless 8th, the AirHogs led 6-3 on the way to the final frame. In the bottom of the 9th, Carlos Misell entered to go for the save.
Martin Medina drew a leadoff walk against the closer, and with 1 out, Richard Prigatano picked up a base hit to make it 2 aboard. Kain scored Medina with a double to make it 6-4.
The next batter Leo Vargas then took a sharply hit ground ball down the 1st base side. Devon Rodriguez made an outstanding diving effort to get an out at 1st, but Prigatano was able to score and Vargas advanced to 3rd.
With the lead down to 1, 2 outs, and the potential tying run 90 feet away, the AirHogs defense once again stepped up. Leadoff man Christian Stringer sent a ball to the right side that seemed destined for right field. But 2nd baseman Bistagne was able to make a diving play, pop to his feet, and make the throw to retire Stringer at 1st and seal the 6-5 win.
Shepherd picked up his 2nd win of the season, while Boshers suffered his 3rd loss. The save was the 5th of the season for Misell.
The AirHogs (17-22) and Wingnuts (22-16) close the series tomorrow at 7:05. RHP Cody Hebner (1-4, 5.77) is expected to start for the AirHogs vs. LHP Charlie Leesman (2-2, 5.51) for the Wingnuts.
A live radio broadcast will be available at mixlr.com/TXAirHogs.
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