Lowey Outduels Gehle to Beat Pheasants

August 5, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release

SIOUX FALLS -- Sioux Falls Pheasants starting pitcher Pete Gehle was superb on Sunday afternoon, but Wichita Wingnuts starter Josh Lowey was even better in the Pheasants' 3-2 loss in front of 2,765 fans at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Pheasants (34-40) lost a rubber game of the series but still finished their homestand 4-3.

Both starting pitchers worked late into a pitcher's duel before Wichita took a lead for good on Wilberto Ortiz's solo home in the eighth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie.

Wichita (44-30) had only one hit going into the fourth inning before Mike Conroy bunted his way on and scored two batters later on a groundout for a 1-0 lead.

The next run didn't come across until the seventh inning as Trevor Lawhorn tied it up with a solo home run on a 2-2 pitch with two outs off Lowey.

But Wichita went back ahead 3-1 in the eighth with a two-run, two-out rally on Ortiz's home run and Conroy's RBI single. Ortiz collected just his second home run of the season.

Lowey (12-3) dominated all game, frustrating the Pheasants' batters in his league-leading 12th win. It also established a season record for Wichita. Lowey pitched seven innings and allowed one run on only three hits. He walked one and matched a season-high with nine strikeouts.

Pete Gehle (6-6) was effective for the Pheasants despite suffering his first loss at home this season. He exited after Conroy's single in the seventh, allowing three runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out one.

"I thought Pete threw the ball great out there," said Pheasants manager Steve Shirley. "Usually if we get a pitching performance like that we end up with a win."

The Pheasants rallied in the bottom of the ninth off of Wichita closer Josh Dew. Reggie Abercrombie's smashed a solo home run to center field that closed the gap to 3-2. Cesar Nicolas then walked, but Dew forced a fly out and struck out Lawhorn to earn his sixth save of the year.

Abercrombie wrapped a monumental week with a 16-for-33 mark (.485), four home runs and 10 RBI in his return to Sioux Falls.

The Pheasants travel to Winnipeg to take on the Goldeyes in a three-game series starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 6. The game will be broadcast on Sioux Falls Sports Radio 1230-AM KWSN and www.kwsn.com.

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