Outstanding Bullpen Leads to Ninth Inning Comeback
Published on July 31, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
PENSACOLA, FL- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Pensacola Pelicans 6-4 at Pelican Park on Saturday night.
Trailing 4-3 in the top of the ninth, the Wingnuts stunned Pensacola with a three-run rally against All-Star closer Ron Hill. Behind in the count 1-2, Jorge Cortes lined an opposite field single down the left field line and advanced to second on a single to short center from Ryan Patterson. After Carlos Rivera walked to load the bases, Hill came back to strike out Michael Bell. With a 1-2 count on Cesar Suarez, the Wingnuts' second baseman hit a slow bouncer to the left side of the infield that Hill threw down the right field line. Cortes and Patterson scored the tying and go-ahead runs to give the Wingnuts their first lead since the third inning. Jeff Christy added an RBI single to right that scored Rivera to give Wichita an insurance run.
Justin Dowdy worked a perfect ninth to earn his 17th save of the season, capping off a terrific night for the Wingnuts bullpen which combined for 3.2 perfect innings that included eight strikeouts.
With Pensacola leading 4-1, Brandon Mathes relieved Wingnuts' starter Sean Teauge in the bottom of the sixth with runners on first and third and one out. Mathes got Adolfo Gonzalez to popout to first and then struck out Lou Palmisano to end the inning. Mathes retired the first two hitters in the seventh, giving way to Dustin Pease who struck out all four batters he faced over the seventh and eighth. Pease earned the win in relief, his second in three nights in the series.
The Wingnuts inched closer in the sixth on an RBI single by Jorge Delgado. With two outs and no one on base in the eighth, Delgado singled up the middle and scored from first on a double to left-center by Jeff Christy that made it a one-run game.
The Wingnuts got off to a quick start when Joseph Spiers homered on the third pitch of the game from Pelicans' starter Dane DeValk.
Pensacola took a 2-1 lead in the third on a throwing error by Michael Bell and an RBI single from Javier Brito. Brito clubbed a two-run home run against Teague in the fifth that opened a 4-1 lead.
Teague took a no-decision, allowing four runs, two earned, in 5.1 IP. Teague struck out five and walked four. DeValk also took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in six innings with four strikeouts and one walk. Hill was charged with the loss in relief.
Cortes made two key plays on defense, throwing out Adolfo Gonzalez at the plate to end the third on Brito's RBI single. Cortes also made a diving catch on Gonzalez with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth to prevent the Pelicans from breaking the game open.
The series concludes Sunday evening night at 6:05 p.m. Adam Cowart takes on right-hander Austin Quinn. All the action can be heard live on Oldies 93.5 KWME and worldwide at www.kleyam.com following the completion of the 5:00 p.m. game at the BaseballSavings.com 76th annual NBC World Series. The Wingnuts next play at home on Saturday, August 14th when they host the Sioux Falls Pheasants. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.
American Association Stories from July 31, 2010
- Pheasants strike out in St. Paul - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Pitching Leads The Way In A 5-2 Win Over Pheasants - St. Paul Saints
- Grand Prairie Walks Off Against Diablos for Second Straight Night - El Paso Diablos
- Salazar nearly perfect as Captains and Cats split - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Outstanding Bullpen Leads to Ninth Inning Comeback - Wichita Wingnuts
- Espinosa Homerun Lifts 'Hogs Over Diablos, 6-5 - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- American Association Recap - AA
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