Martin Medina Goes Deep Walk-Off Style; Wingnuts Win 4-3
Monday night the Wichita Wingnuts had no answers for their instate rival, at least through eight-innings. After giving up a run in the second inning, Wichita would trail against Kansas City T-Bones starter Chris Perry until the ninth. That is when they would take advantage of closer Jeff Walters, plating four in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to a 3-run home run by Martin Medina, and the Wichita Wingnuts were the 4-3 winners.
Jordan Cooper started for Wichita, and the T-Bones performed against him much as they did in the previous outing, mounting small rallies to get a lead. After being held off the scoreboard in the first, Kansas City took the lead in the top of the second. Cooper retired the first two hitters of the inning, but then gave up a double to Chase McDonald. That brought Chantz Mack to the plate, who lined a single into right center scoring McDonald.
In the third, the two out hit would come back to haunt Cooper again. With two down, Kevin Keyes hit his eighth homer of the year to extend the lead to two. He would add his second home run of the game in the fifth to make it 3-0.
That seemed like all the support that Perry needed on this night. He allowed a base hit with one out in the first, then did not allow another hit over the final six innings he worked. Perry left after seven, allowing a hit and a walk, while fanning 9. That gives him 14.2 scoreless inning against Wichita this season with 20 strikeouts during that span.
Cody Winiarski came on the eighth and pitched a scoreless frame, setting up the dramatic ninth.
Jeff Walters relieved and immediately gave up back-to-back singles to Brent Clevlen and T.J. Mittelstaedt. After Matt Chavez flew out, Brennen Salgado singled into right field to score Clevlen and it was 3-1. That brought Martin Medina to the plate. He took a first pitch ball, then turned on a pitch and drilled it over the left field wall for his second home run of the season.
Matt Devine (1-2) earned the victory by pitching a scoreless ninth. Martin Medina finished 1-3 with a run and the 3-run homer. Kevin Keyes was 2-4 with 2-runs, 2-home runs, and 2-RBI.
These two teams will continue their three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
Featured Picture by Ed Bailey
By Robert Pannier
