Wagner's Walkoff Lifts AirHogs Past Saints
May 31, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Texas AirHogs News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The AirHogs and St. Paul Saints played their third straight extra-inning game Thursday. For the first time in the series, the AirHogs came out on top when Ryan Wagnerscored Chu Fujia with a walkoff base hit in the 11th.
Tyler Matzek got the start for the AirHogs and allowed two runs on two hits and three walks in the first. He settled in to fire three straight scoreless innings before being tagged for three runs in the top of the fifth.
After falling behind 5-1, the AirHogs struck back with five runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth. The big inning was cued up by back-to-back triples from DH Meng Weiqiang and right fielder Song Yunqi, who finished the game with three hits.
Leading 6-5 in the ninth, the AirHogs sent reliever Taylor Wright to the hill to try to complete a six-out save. Wright took St. Paul down to its last out before third baseman JJ Gould drilled a homer to left to tie the score at 6-6.
In the bottom of the ninth, Dillon Thomas appeared to be on the cusp of a walkoff hit when he sent a high line drive to right center field off St. Paul relief man Mike Devine with Chu Fujia on first. The ball skipped off the turf and over the wall though for a ground rule double, holding Chu Fujia on third. After Stewart Ijames drew an intentional walk, Wagner was retired to end the frame.
The AirHogs stranded two in the tenth before Chu Fujia broke through with a base hit to lead off the 11th and stole second. With two outs, Wagner scorched a bouncer up the middle that was grabbed on a dive by Noah Perio Jr. Perio heaved the ball from his back to first, and, on the throw, Chu Fujia came home from second to end the game.
Lu Yusong (1-0) picked up his first win of the season by throwing a scoreless frame in the 11th. Yang Yanyong, Tu Jialun, Zheng Chaoqun, Wright and Lu Yusong combined to throw 6.2 innings of one-run ball in relief of Matzek. Beck Wheeler (2-1) suffered the loss for the Saints.
The AirHogs (2-11) will next host the Sioux City Explorers (9-4) in a three-game set starting tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Starters for both teams are TBA. A live stream will be available at mixlr.com/TXAirHogs and americanassociationbaseball.tv.
Individual tickets for the 2018 season are on sale now. Visit AirHogsBaseball.com for more information. For the latest news, follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @TXAirHogs. Media inquiries: jzanaboni@texasairhogs.com.
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