LINCOLN NE- The Wichita Wingnuts withstood a torrential downpour and a 90-minute rain delay to defeat the Saltdogs 5-3 on Sunday Night.
Blake Gailen - an outfielder and emergency pitcher - came into the game to pitch after the rain delay with two men on and one out in a 2-2 game. Gailen promptly picked off a man and did so again the next inning. Gailen gave up a home run in the sixth and that was it in 4 1/3 innings of work as he earned the victory.
The Wingnuts took the lead for good in the top of the eighth on a Michael Thompson double and added an insurance run with a solo home run in the ninth by Heath Keel. Byron Embry pitched a quick ninth for his sixth save.
The Wingnuts, now 11-7 and just a 1/2 game out of first place, return home on Tuesday to host the Sioux Falls Canaries, starting a seven-game homestand. For tickets call (316) 264-4625.
-WINGNUTS-
