It's in the Wind (Surge); Wichita Wins, 5-4
Published on August 7, 2021 under Texas League (TL)
Midland RockHounds News Release
If it wasn't apparent before, it is now; the Wichita Wind Surge are the RockHounds' Double-A Central nemesis.
Not only did the Wind Surge win in a ninth-inning walk-off Saturday night, but they did it by scoring two runs on a sacrifice fly.
Wichita erased a 4-3 RockHounds lead, winning for the fourth time in five games in the current series at Riverfront Stadium, and for the ninth time in 11 games overall in this, the Wind Surge's inaugural season.
Caleb Hamilton started ... and ended ... the scoring Saturday night, The Wichita first baseman's two-run home run put the Wind Surge up, 2-0, in the last of the second (the homer followed an error by RockHounds third baseman Jhoan Paulino).
His ninth-inning sac fly brought home both the tying and winning runs. Andrew Bechtold led off the inning with the Wind Surge trailing, 4-3, and was replaced by pinch-runner D.J. Burt. After Zack Erwin walked Jermaine Palacios, Wichita pulled a double-steal, with Burt taking third base and Palacios going to second. An intentional walk then loaded the bases.
Hamilton sent a fly ball to right field, where Jake Suddleson made the catch. The drive was easily deep enough to bring Burt home with the tying run, but manager (and third base coach) Ramon Borrego also sent Palacios, who completed the rare two-run sac fly with a tremendous "swim" slide, avoiding catcher Kyle McCann's tag for the walk-off win.
Devin Foyle got the RockHounds on the board with an RBI single in the third inning and Chase Calabuig's two-run double in the eighth tied the game at 3-3. Jonah Bride then put the RockHounds on top, 4-3, with a solo home run in the top of the ninth before the "nemesis" ... on the very unusual walk-off ... came back for the win.
Kibbles & Bits:
RockHounds starter Jared Koenig rebounded after two rough starts at Tulsa with a strong outing. The left-hander went 6â..." innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out a half-dozen Wichita batters. Of the three runs he gave up, only one was earned.
Jared (5-1) continues to rank among the Double-A Central's top pitchers. He shares the league lead, limiting opposing hitters to a .219 average ... his 2.70 ERA ranks second ... and his 1.20 WHIP fourth.
Next Game
Sunday, August 8 vs. Wichita Wind Surge
Riverfront Stadium Wichita, Kansas
First pitch 1:05 p.m.
Final of a six-game series and of a 12-game road trip
Probable Starters
WIC Cole Sands (RH, 1-0, 2.91)
RH Matt Milburn (RH, 1-2, 5.40)
Back at Rocky Town: Tuesday, August 10
Monday is a league-wide off day. The RockHounds then begin a 12-game homestand, hosting the San Antonio Missions (August 10-15) and Amarillo Sod Poodles (August 17-22) at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from August 7, 2021
- Frisco Hits Three Home Runs in Loss to Amarillo - Frisco RoughRiders
- Adolph Homers for Third Straight Night, CC Clinches Series W - Corpus Christi Hooks
- It's in the Wind (Surge); Wichita Wins, 5-4 - Midland RockHounds
- Canzone's Late Blast Powers Soddies in Frisco - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Ruiz Triples During Missions Loss on Texas Flag Jersey NightÃâà- San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Rally for their Fourth-Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Hamilton's Heroics Walk-Off Midland in Game Five - Wichita Wind Surge
- Naturals Pitchers Strike out 16 and Use Speed in 10th to Squeeze Past Travs - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 10 Inning Affair Goes to Naturals - Arkansas Travelers
- Re-Surge-Ent; Wichita Wins, 11-4 - Midland RockHounds
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