The departures of Wichita Wingnuts players to other clubs is taking its toll, as the Sioux Falls Canaries scored three-runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to down the visitors 4-3. This used to be a lock for Wichita, but with Matt Nevarez now playing in Mexico it has now become the wild west and that was the case Wednesday night.

The Sioux Falls Canaries jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Tim Brown in the bottom of the first inning. Jerome Pena doubled with one out and came round to score when Brian Humphries singled.

Shawn Blackwell pitched brilliantly through the first three innings, only allowing a lead-off walk in the first inning before retiring the next nine batters in order. In the fourth the Wingnuts finally got on the board to tie the game. TJ Mittelstaedt walked to begin the inning, but was cut down on a fielder’s choice by John Nester. With Nester the runner on first, Matt Padgett grounded into a fielder’s choice himself. That brought Joash Brodin to the plate, and he delivered a double to bring home Padgett. That tied the game at one.

In the fifth the Wingnuts took the lead. Tyler Coughenour tripled with one out and scored on an error on a ball hit by Leo Vargas. Two batters later Mittelstaedt lined a double to the wall to give Wichita the 3-1 lead.

Brown looked solid after the first inning run. The right-hander continued his excellent season, allowing 4 hits, a walk and a run in 6 innings of work. Brown had looked great, and most importantly he left with his club leading 3-1. Frankie Reed and Al Yevoli each pitched outstanding innings in the seventh and eighth innings.

Blackwell left after 6.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs, while striking out 7. He had pitched well himself, and his bullpen had kept it a one-run game.

Into the bottom of the ninth it went with Daniel Carela looking to close the game out for the second straight night. The Canaries had other ideas. David Bergin led-off with a double and back-t0-back wild pitches brought him home. Richard Stock walked and manager Kevin Hooper thought it was time to make a change.

Daniel Bennett came in and gave up a bunt single to RJ Perucki. Vickash Ramjit laid down a bunt that Bennett retrieved, but he slipped allowing everyone to be safe. A wild pitch brought home Wing to tie the score, and Harrison Kain’s sacrifice fly plate Perucki to win it.

The wild ninth inning included three wild pitches, with two of those plating runs. Bennett (0-4) took the loss for the Wichita Wingnuts, while Cameron McVery (2-1) earned the win.

Padgett was 2-4 with a run scored for Wichita. Humphries went 2-4 with an RBI.

Boxscore Provided by the American Association

By Robert Pannier