SHREVEPORT, LA- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 5-4 to the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field on Friday night.
Michael Thompson homered in the ninth, while Greg Porter had two RBIs, but Wichita fell a run short in the opener of their series with the Captains.
Greg Porter gave the Wingnuts an early 1-0 lead, hitting an opposite field home run to left-center with two out in the top of the first.
Shreveport rallied for two against Derek Blacksher in the bottom of the inning. Blacksher retired the first two hitters, but the Captains loaded the bases. Jose Torres singled to left field to score two runs to make it 2-1.
After the Captains had taken a 3-1 lead, the Wingnuts rallied for two runs to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Josh Horn scored on a passed ball, and then Greg Porter plated Nick Blasi to knot the game at 3-3.
In the bottom of the sixth, Dan Williams hit a two-run single to right field off of Blacksher to put the Captains in front for good.
Thompson hit his fourth home run of the year in the ninth off of closer Justin Dowdy, but the Wingnuts were unable to push the tying run across home plate.
Blacksher took the loss, dropping to 5-2, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Blacksher walked three and struck out five while throwing 107 pitches. The loss was the Wingnuts third in a row. First baseman Steve Pearson had his hitting streak end at 12 games.
The Wingnuts and Captains continue their series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Brad Davis squares off against lefty Ronald Lowe. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at www.kgso.com The Wingnuts return home on Monday when they open a four-game series against the Sioux Falls Canaries. For tickets and more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
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