Explorers Walk-Off Halts Wichita Win Streak
August 4, 2017 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The Wichita Wingnuts saw their five-game winning streak come to an end Thursday night, as they fell in walk-off fashion to the Sioux City Explorers 5-4 at Mercy Field at Lewis & Clark Park.
Leading 4-2 entering the ninth, the Wingnuts (43-26) turned to their closer Seth Harvey (1-3) to try and close it out. After retiring the first batter, Harvey yielded back-to-back doubles to Eudor Garcia and Michael Lang to cut the lead to one. Sioux City (34-36) then loaded the bases with a walk and infield single for Tony Campana, who singled back up the middle to give the Explorers the walk-off win.
Wichita opened the scoring in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs for Brennen Salgado, who drew a walk to break the ice. Sioux City answered in the home half however, as Lang homered to tie it.
The Explorers grabbed the lead in the sixth. Lang bunted his way aboard, then came around on a Tanner Vavra triple. Both Lang and Vavra had four-hit nights for Sioux City.
Josh Goosen-Brown worked out of a bases loaded one out jam in the seventh, and Wichita responded by regaining the lead. Christian Stringer and Brent Clevlen reached to start the inning, then one out later, executed a double steal. Stringer raced home to tie it on a slow chopper off the bat of Matt Chavez, and a wild pitch then allowed Clevlen to score to take the lead.
Mike Devine worked around a pair of walks in the eighth to keep the lead in tact, and Wichita then added an insurance tally in the top of the ninth against Ryan Flores (4-3). Richard Prigatano led off with a single, stole second and third, and then came in on a tapper between the plate and the mound which left the plate unoccupied.
The insurance was for naught however, as Sioux City rallied in the bottom half to snap their five-game losing streak, and bring an end to the Wingnuts five-game winning streak.
The Wingnuts and Explorers continue their four-game series Friday night at Mercy Field at Lewis & Clark Park. Right-hander Jordan Cooper (5-1, 3.56) will be on the mound for Wichita, while Sioux City has yet to announce Friday's starting pitcher. First pitch is set for 7:05, and the game will be broadcast on 1410 AM/93.9 FM KGSO, TuneIn and americanassociationbaseball.tv.
The Wingnuts return to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday, August 7 to begin a three-game series against the Lincoln Saltdogs. For information on tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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American Association Stories from August 4, 2017
- Walks Doom T-Bones in Loss - Kansas City Monarchs
- Saltdogs Hit Two Homers in Blowout of Second Place Kansas City - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Explorers Walk-Off Halts Wichita Win Streak - Wichita Wingnuts
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