Two Early Runs Help Snag Close Win Against Chihuahuas
August 6, 2024 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys News Release
SUGAR LAND, TX - A pair of runs scored in the first two innings were all the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (70-38, 21-12) needed as they topped the El Paso Chihuahuas (44-65, 13-21) with a 2-1 win on Tuesday night at Constellation Field.
The Space Cowboys got cooking in the bottom of the first when back-to-back walks put two on for Grae Kessinger. Kessinger slammed a fastball from RHP Jhony Brito (L, 0-2) into the left-center gap to send Jesús Bastidas home and give Sugar Land a 1-0 advantage. In the second inning, with Jacob Amaya on second base, Shay Whitcomb singled on a line drive to left field, bringing Amaya around to score and extend Sugar Land's lead to 2-0. Whitcomb's second-inning RBI single marks his 89th RBI of the season, tying a single-season franchise record with Corey Julks, who hit the milestone in 2022.
In his third start since being reinstated from the injured list, RHP Rhett Kouba (W, 2-3) excelled, pitching 5.0 innings. The righty got into a couple of jams, including a first inning where he walked the first two batters he faced, but recovered to get the next three outs with ease. Overall, despite walking three batters early on, Kouba surrendered just one hit and did not give up a run while striking out two.
RHP Forrest Whitley (H, 5) came on for the sixth and did not allow a run on one hit. In the seventh, LHP Parker Mushinski (H, 8) took over and after getting the first two outs gave up a double and a wild pitch, permitting Cal Mitchell to reach third. A single from Mason McCoy drove in Mitchell, putting up the first Chihuahuas' run of the night and cutting Sugar Land's lead in half. RHP Seth Martinez (H,1) made his second appearance for Sugar Land this season and after a lead-off walk, retired the next three batters to send the game to the bottom of the eighth. RHP Wander Suero (S, 25) came in for his third save in as many games and with just 12 pitches he got a flyout, a lineout and a groundout to end the game and obtain his 25th save of the season.
The Space Cowboys will take on the El Paso Chihuahuas once again on Wednesday night. Sugar Land's LHP Colton Gordon (5-1, 4.99) will take on El Paso's RHP Nabil Crismatt (1-1, 4.79) for a 7:05 pm CT first pitch. The game can be heard on ESPN 92.5 FM or online here and seen on MiLB.TV, MLB.TV or Bally Live.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 6, 2024
- Bees Drop Series Opener to Aviators - Salt Lake Bees
- OKC Wins Over Express, 5-3 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Two Early Runs Help Snag Close Win Against Chihuahuas - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Chihuahuas Edge Space Cowboys, 4-3 - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Oklahoma City Takes Series Opener Over Round Rock, 5-3 - Round Rock Express
- August 6 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers at Reno Aces - Tacoma Rainiers
- Space Cowboys Return Home for Series with the El Paso Chihuahuas - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- OKC Baseball Club Game Notes - August 6, 2024 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Elehuris Montero Named PCL Player of the Month - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Ryan Gusto Honored as Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month for July - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Upcoming Oklahoma City Baseball Club Home Series to Feature Two Giveaways, Military Appreciation and Dinosaurs - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
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.
Other Recent Sugar Land Space Cowboys Stories
- Sugar Land Shut Out For Fourth Time In Loss To Reno
- Space Cowboys Unable to Pull Through After Early Deficit
- Going Yard Home Run Derby Coming to Constellation Field
- Leon's Go-Ahead Home Run Gives Space Cowboys 6-5 Victory
- LoneStar Electric Vibes Reveals Full Lineup of Talent