August 22 Afternoon
Wichita 5, Gary SouthShore 4
Wichita stumbled out of the gates, allowing four first-inning runs to the Gary SouthShore offense, and came within an out of paying the price. The RailCats had two outs in the top of the ninth and a 4-2 lead when Wichita struck for three runs in a heartbeat to escape with a 5-4 win.
The ninth-inning rally began when Ryan Khoury drew a two-out walk and Jake Kahaulelio doubled to put runners on second and third. John Rodriguez (right) stepped up next and came through with a game-tying single, then advanced to second base on the throw home.
Rodriguez’s hit not only tied the game, it brought Wichita’s most dangerous hitter to the plate with a chance to give the Wingnuts the lead with a mere single. The day after hitting for the cycle, C.J. Ziegler (left) ripped a go-ahead single to center field to put the Wingnuts on top, 5-4. Josh Dew came in for the bottom of the ninth and nailed down the save in a big come-from-behind win.
Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wingnuts
