WICHITA, KS - Sunday night the Wichita Wingnuts salvaged the finale of their three game series with the Fort Worth Cats at LaGrave Field. Wichita earned a 3-1 win, scratching the winning runs out in the top of the ninth.
Kevin Hooper drew a bases loaded walk to break a 1-1 tie against reliever Matt Reilly. Brenan Herrera then followed with a sacrifice fly to provide an insurance run.
Closer Byron Embry took the ball in the ninth and allowed the first two hitters to reach base, before leaving with an injury. Kevin Cheppenko came out of the bullpen and saved the game, retiring all three hitters to face him. There was drama before the final out, when Cats' shortstop Nelson Teilon hit a deep flyball over the fence but just foul down the left field line. Cheppenko came back three pitches later to get Teilon to flyout to left to end the game.
The Wingnuts return home Monday night to open a four-game series with the first half champion Sioux Falls Canaries. First pitch at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Gustavo Mata will oppose the Canaries' Ben Moore.
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