Ninth Inning Comeback Helps Nuts Open Trip with Win
July 30, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LITTLE FALLS, NJ (July 29, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts had not been able to overcome a ninth inning deficit in the first 62 games of the season. They accomplished the feat for the first time in the opener of a ten game trip to the east coast. Wichita trailed the New Jersey Jackals 2-0 entering the final inning before emerging with a 4-2 victory on Wednesday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.
The first two batters in the New Jersey (35-26) lineup provided all of the damage for the home team in the contest. Peter Mooney led off the bottom of the first with a triple into the right field corner and scored on a safety squeeze bunt up the first base line by Anthony Gomez. The same combination also got the job done in the sixth. Mooney beat out an infield single to reach base. He raced around to score on Gomez's ensuing double and increased the Jackals' lead to 2-0.
Tim Brown (8-1) never allowed another run in eight innings of work. He scattered seven hits and recorded two strikeouts. Despite a multitude of opportunities, the Wingnuts (38-25) could not cash in against Brian Ernst. The right-hander shut out the Wingnuts for eight innings, surrendering only three hits and striking out five. Lefty Brandon Sisk struck out the side in the top of the eighth to send the game to the final inning.
With Hector Nelo (0-2) in the game to try and record his 16th save of the season, the Wingnuts went to work. Joash Brodin drew a four pitch walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Matt Padgett, who played for New Jersey in 2013, tied the game by launching a full count pitch over the right field wall. The rally continued when John Nester lined a single over the head of the shortstop and into left field. Harrison Kain followed by placing a bunt down the first base line that was fielded by Nelo. The closer fired the ball all the way down the right field line allowing Nester to score and Kain to advance all the way to third. After Nelo struck out a pair, Jayce Ray put down another bunt for a hit that scored the final run of the game and made it 4-2.
Dakota Watts came in for the bottom half of the inning in search of his ninth save. He quickly retired the side in order to end the game. Watts has not allowed a run in 13.0 innings since arriving in Wichita.
Ray led all players with three hits, while Kain added a pair of his own.
The series rolls on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Eastern with RHP Jason Van Skike (6-2) battling RHP Anthony Claggett (1-3) of the Jackals. For information on season 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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