Tbonesbaseball.com
The T-Bones controlled most of Wednesday night’s game against Winnipeg, but had a nail-biting final two innings before holding out for a 7-4 win at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
Leading 3-1 and seemingly in control with starter Josh Rainwater, the T-Bones gave up three runs and the lead in the top of the eighth inning. But Kansas City wasn’t done.
In the bottom of the eighth with two on, Lee Cruz scored on Enrique Cruz’s single, tying the game at 4-4. Then, Ray Sadler scored on a throwing error by pitcher Griffin Bailey, giving Kansas City a 5-4 lead.
The T-Bones gained two insurance runs as Enrique Cruz and Devin Goodwin scored on Pat Trettel’s double.
“It’s nice when your hitters respond after giving up the lead,” T-Bones manager Kenny Hook said. “When you have a lead and you give it up, it’s really hard to kind of get it going and get it back again, but our guys tend to respond in that situation, and that’s a great sign. That’s all you ask for, that the offense responds when your pitcher gives up a couple runs.”
Closer Mike Mehlich (9) loaded the bases by walking two batters and hitting one, before he struck out Luis Alen for the final out of the game.
That gave Mehlich his ninth save of the season. Brad Furnish, who replaced Rainwater in the top of the eighth, picked up his first win as a T-Bones player.
The win brings the T-Bones to 39-32 on the season. Winnipeg and Kansas City will play the final game of the series on Thursday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. To purchase tickets, call 913-328-5618.
