Saltdogs rally twice, but fall in extras
August 24, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
WICHITA, KS - The Lincoln Saltdogs dropped an extra-inning affair on Monday, losing 9-8 to the Wichita Wingnuts in 11 innings. Lincoln falls to 25-17 on the second half of the season.
The two teams went back and forth all night, but Wichita's Josh Horn provided the game's final blow in the bottom of the 11th inning. Batting with one out and a 1-0 count, Horn hit a solo home run over the center-field fence against Lincoln reliever Adam Daniels (7-4). Daniels had pitched the Saltdogs out of jams in both the ninth and tenth innings, but Horn ended the game on one swing.
The scoring started innocently enough in the third inning when Wichita took a 1-0 lead, but Lincoln's first rally took place in the top of the fourth. With two on and one out, Rafael Alvarez hit a three-run home run, his fifth of the season. Shawn McGill followed with a single, and Gavin Dickey doubled him home to put Lincoln ahead 4-1. Wichita, however, came roaring back with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to re-take the lead. All six runs scored with two out, and the key play in the inning was a popup that was lost in the twilight, allowing two of the six runs to score.
Lincoln, however, rallied for four more runs in the eighth. The Saltdogs tallied three hits and two walks, and Wichita contributed two wild pitches and two key errors, the second coming with two out and allowing the go-ahead run to score. Trailing 8-7, however, the Wingnuts got a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game, setting the stage for extra innings and the eventual Wichita victory.
McGill finished the night 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Albenis Machado and Phil Hawke each had two hits and two runs scored, while Alvarez finished with a pair of runs scored to go with this three-run homer.
The two teams play game two of their three-game series Tuesday night at 7:05. Righty Justin Knoff is scheduled to make the start for Lincoln. Lincoln will enter play with a 2.5-game lead over Wichita in the North Division, and a 4-game lead over St. Paul.
American Association Stories from August 24, 2009
- Pelicans make statement with 13-0 win - Pensacola Pelicans
- Sixteen strikeouts help Captains keep pace with Pelicans - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Captains too much for Diablos - El Paso Diablos
- Saltdogs rally twice, but fall in extras - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts get milestone win in dramatic fashion - Wichita Wingnuts
- Pelicans hand Cats lopsided 13-0 loss - Fort Worth Cats
- American Association Recap - AA
- Grand Prairie routs St. Paul 1-0 in rubber match - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Lawhorn, Harris join 100-hit club in 4-1 win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Dickert pitches gem, but gets no help in 1-0 loss - St. Paul Saints
- Fan Appreciation Weekend at Pelican Park - Pensacola Pelicans
- Markray named pitcher of the week - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Porter Wins Fourth Batter of the Week Award - Wichita Wingnuts
- Porter, Markray American Association Players Of The Week - AA
- Come to Fair Grounds Field this week - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Saints to Give Away Commemorative "Moonwalkers" Friday, August 28 - St. Paul Saints
- Final Four Games This Weekend - St. Paul Saints
- Pelicans Preserve Division Lead With 6-3 Win - Pensacola Pelicans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
