Bohanek Gives Dogs Series Opening Victory with Walk-Off Single

Robert Pannier September 17, 2023

Photo Credit: Jennifer Andreachi/Field Dreams Photography

American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Rob Pannier recaps the first game of the Miles Wolff Cup Finals as the Chicago Dogs take Game 1 on a walk-off single by Cody Bohanek in the bottom of the 16th.

TWITA: 2023 American Association Playoffs, Final Round, Game 1

Bohanek Walk-Off Single Gives Dogs Game 1 Victory

Cody Bohanek singled with two down in the bottom of the 16th inning to give the Chicago Dogs a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Monarchs in Game 1 of the Miles Wolff Cup Finals. Bryan Warzek, who was scheduled to start Game 2, earned the victory. Bubby Rossman took the loss.

It was a surprising selection of starters for Kansas City, as Zach Matson went for the Monarchs against Joe Wieland for the Dogs. Kansas City was able to get on board against the Chicago starter in the top of the third when Jacob Robson hit a solo home run. In the fourth, the Dogs tied the score. Ryan Lidge and Josh Altmann led off with back-to-back singles and Luke Mangieri then walked to load the bases before Dylan Rosa struck out. Matt Bottcher then hit into a fielder’s choice that brought home Lidge to knot the game at one.

In the fifth, Chicago took the lead as Payton Eeles led off with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a Nick Heath sacrifice. That brought Johnni Turbo to the plate, who hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Eeles to put the Dogs up, 2-1.

This became a battle of bullpens from there, as both the Monarchs and the Dogs relievers were spectacular. Chicago clung to that one run lead heading into the top of the ninth, bringing in closer Brian Schlitter looking to finish off the game. However, the second pitch he threw to catcher Chris Herrmann hooked down the right field line and just inside the foul pole to tie the game at two.

The marathon then took over each teams had chances to win the game, but could not find the go-ahead run through the next six innings. Finally, in the 16th, it was the two out rally that gave the Dogs the victory. Rossman retired the first two batters of the inning, but Rosa singled and Bottcher followed with a base hit. That brought Bohanek to the plate, who singled up the middle, driving Rosa home with the game-winner.

Eeles finished with three hits and Josh Altmann had two for Chicago. No player for Kansa City had more than one hit.

Boxscore

Three Stars of the Night

No. 3 – Trevor Lane (Chicago Dogs) 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

No. 2 – Payton Eeles (Chicago Dogs) 3-6, R, 2 SB

No. 1 – Cody Bohanek (Chicago Dogs) 1-6, Game-Winning RBI

American Association Daily Notes

The teams combined to use 15 pitchers in the opening contest of the Miles Wolff Cup Finals… The 16-inning game was the longest in an American Association Championship Series since the Wichita Wingnuts and Winnipeg Goldeyes went 17 innings in Game 4 of the 2017 series… Game 2 will be played at 3:00 PM on Sunday.