Mittelstaedt Walk-Off Completes Comeback
August 29, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
T.J. Mittelstaedt hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth Monday night, lifting the Wichita Wingnuts to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Joplin Blasters at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
Entering the seventh, the Wingnuts (57-36) were trailing 4-0, and had not had much success offensively. That started to change when Martin Medina led the frame off with a double, and then scored on a Christian Stringer triple. Stringer then scored one batter later, on an RBI bounce out by Zack Cox.
Wichita then evened the score at four apiece in the eighth, putting together three straight hits. The last of the three straight knocks was a two-run single by Harrison Kain, who has driven in five runs since coming off of the disabled list on Friday.
Frankie Reed (6-3) kept Joplin (35-58) off the board in the top of the ninth, giving the Wingnuts a chance to win it in the bottom half. After the first two were retired, Mittelstaedt launched a 3-2 offering from Keith Picht (1-4) over the wall in right for his 16th homer of the year, and Wichita's second walk-off home run of the campaign.
The win shrinks the Wingnuts magic number to two, meaning they can clinch the South Division title with a win over Joplin and a Laredo loss to Texas on Tuesday night. Wichita is also now tied with St. Paul for the best overall record in the American Association at 57-36.
The Blasters jumped out to an early lead, plating three in the second. Sergio Leon's RBI ground out broke the ice for the visitors, while Mitch Glasser and Geraldo Valentin each produced a run with a base hit to make it 3-0.
The visitors then added another to their lead in the fifth, on a Mark Krueger sacrifice fly, but the bullpen could not hold it for Joplin, who saw their three-game win streak come to an end.
The Wingnuts and Blasters continue their four-game series Tuesday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Veteran southpaw Anthony Capra (0-3, 9.46) will be on the hill for Wichita, while Joplin will turn to righty Alex De La Cruz (2-5, 5.42). First pitch is set for 7:05, and the game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO, as well as on TuneIn.
American Association Stories from August 29, 2016
- Mittelstaedt Walk-Off Completes Comeback - Wichita Wingnuts
- Geraldo Valentin Named Association Player of the Week - Joplin Blasters
- Caughel Earns A.A. Pitcher of Week Honors - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Boldly Going Towards the Playoffs: Saints Determined Not to Nickel and Dime Fans with Popfly's, Polk - St. Paul Saints
- Zombies to Invade Shaw Park - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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