Wingnuts Rally Late, Fall in Extras
Published on June 24, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, Kans. - The Wichita Wingnuts rallied to erase a one-run deficit in the ninth to force extra innings, but fell 7-6 in 10 frames to the Sioux City Explorers Friday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
Trailing 6-5 and down to their final strike, the Wingnuts (19-15) struck up a two-out rally, starting with a Leo Vargas single. One batter later and again down to their final strike, Christian Stringer doubled to right center to bring Vargas home and tie it. It looked like Wichita had the game won moments later, but a running catch by Tim Colwell in deep left sent the game into extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, Michael Lang continued his huge night for the Explorers (16-18), doubling off of Frankie Reed (3-2) to start the frame. After moving over to third on a grounder, he came home on a throwing error to put Sioux City back in front.
Connor Overton (3-0), who had allowed the Wingnuts to tie the game in the ninth, redeemed himself in the 10th, retiring Wichita in order to even the series at a game apiece.
It took just two batters for the visitors to open the scoring in the first. Matty Johnson started things off with a triple, and then scored on a Lang groundout.
Sioux City held that 1-0 edge until the fourth, when T.J. Mittelstaedt launched his sixth homer of the year to tie the score.
The Wingnuts then grabbed the lead in the very next inning. Vargas gave Wichita the lead with a single, a second run scored on an error, and Zack Cox picked up an RBI ground out to put the home team up by three.
The lead did not last long, as Lang brought the Explorers within one with a two-run shot in the sixth. An RBI triple by Tommy Mendonca tied it, and he then scored to give the visitors the lead back when Jarek Cunningham brought him in with a sacrifice fly.
Lang homered for the second time in the seventh to stretch the lead to 6-4, but Wichita got that run back in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Martin Medina.
The Wingnuts and Explorers complete their three-game series Saturday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Veteran right-hander Jon Link (5-2, 3.02) will take the hill for Wichita, while Sioux City will counter with southpaw James Walsh (0-0, 9.00). First pitch is set for 7:05, and the game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO, as well as on TuneIn.
American Association Stories from June 24, 2016
- RailCats Explode for 10 Runs in Series Opener against Lincoln - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Goldeyes Fall in Tight Series-Opener - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Back-and-Forth Affair Claimed by Blasters in Texas - Joplin Blasters
- Gary Scores Early and Often in Series-Opening Win - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts Rally Late, Fall in Extras - Wichita Wingnuts
- Lang Comes in Clutch in X's Victory over Wichita - Sioux City Explorers
- Hamburger Dominates, Tsamis Wins 900th as Manager, Saints Beat Goldeyes 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Canaries' Blunders Doom Birds in 4-1 Loss - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Ink First Team All-Midwest Region, MIAC Pitcher of the Year, St. Thomas' Eric Veglahn - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Game Notes: June 24 vs. Sioux City - Wichita Wingnuts
- Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in Kansas City - Joplin Blasters
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
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